Smart, Nokia to pilot 5G deployments in schools

epa03241615 Commuters use smartphones while riding a subway train in Hong Kong, China, 30 May, 2012. An online poll of 1,532 people showed that nearly 95 percent of the respondents experience severe neck and back problems for spending too much time hunched over their gadgets such as iPads, iPhones and other tablets. The Hong Kong Multisports Association, which conducted the survey from April 23 to May 6, said one out of three use their devices for more than four hours a day while 57percent do the same on their computers. According to the poll, one of the main reasons for the growing incidence of chronic back and neck pains is people using their devices for long periods and maintaining a wrong posture, including keeping their heads down. EPA/JEROME FAVRE (Newscom TagID: epaphotos422092.jpg) [Photo via Newscom]

The Philippines’ PLDT and mobile division Smart have signed an agreement with Nokia to pilot the deployment of 5G technologies and services in schools.

The agreement will see PLDT, Smart and Nokia collaborate to identify real-world 5G standalone solutions for use in schools, colleges and universities, including arificial intelligence, drones and advanced IoT applications.

The companies will levearge the PLDT-Smart Technolab in Makati and the Nokia Technology Center in Quezon City for the project.

In addition, the agreement covers deploying 5G standalone products and services, such as 5G handsets and applications, in the Philippines.

“We are happy to partner with Nokia to help develop intelligent solutions and technologies for the benefit of the Philippine education sector,” PLDT-Smart chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

“As the country’s leading and most trusted technology enabler, PLDT and Smart are excited to work with Nokia and the academe in realizing our 5G vision,” added the company’s chief revenue officer Ernesto R. Alberto.

PLDT and Smart claim to be the best positioned company to deploy 5G in the Philippines due to its status as the operator as the country’s most extensive fiber network, which now spans over 244,000 route kilometers.