The Philippine government is ramping up incentives for telecom companies to encourage participation in Asia’s first Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) laboratory, set to launch in May 2025. This initiative aims to enhance internet connectivity and affordability in the country.
The Open RAN lab, established with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will serve as a testing ground for telcos, engineers, and students to develop shared network components, reducing infrastructure costs. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is exploring financial incentives to encourage telecom providers to adopt Open RAN, in coordination with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The initiative seeks to introduce shared components for telecom operators, reducing infrastructure costs and promoting competition. The World Bank has noted that the country lags behind its ASEAN neighbors in internet speed and affordability, making Open RAN a crucial step toward addressing these challenges.
(Source: ABS-CBN News)
