PLDT Inc., through PLDT Enterprise and its wireless arm Smart Communications. Inc., is in an advanced stage of discussion with long-time partner Nokia to provide next-generation Internet of Things (IoT) services for its customers. Together, Smart and Nokia intend to build the “Smart IoT Platform” – the first of its kind for enterprises in the Philippines. This platform aims to help businesses easily deploy IoT services and solutions to manage their connected devices for growth opportunities in the future.
With Smart’s robust network and Nokia’s Global IoT ecosystem, this strategic partnership aims to simplify IoT deployment at scale. With its newfound capability, PLDT Enterprise intends to scale its current LTE-based IoT offerings. This platform will also enable their customers, to explore and deploy 5G-based IoT solutions, on Smart’s 5G network – which is on a virtualized core network and deployed on a software-defined transport network, launched earlier this year. This IoT initiative is part of PLDT’s strategy in building a complete 5G ecosystem.
This also enables PLDT to deliver the next generation digital services like Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) enhancing the IoT solutions, in a faster and more cost-effective manner. Now, with the platform being available for 5G IoT use cases, customers can opt for different combinations of ultra-low latency, high security, and enhanced throughput-based services – fortifying the group’s commitment to providing critical public services, real-time industrial monitoring and control, as well as remote healthcare
Given this, the group aims for the public sector, as well as the transport & logistics, manufacturing, utilities, and retail industries to be among principal beneficiaries of the platform. These IoT solutions will be fully ready by 2021 but PLDT is already in discussions with enterprise clients that intend to utilize IoT technology for their operations. Furthermore, the PLDT Group’s roll-out of 5G SA (Standalone) will enable their customers to leverage Nokia WING’s cloud-native architecture – effectively laying the groundwork for network slicing and providing them with more comprehensive 5G based IoT use cases.
(Source: PLDT)
