NOW partners with SK Telecom

for 5G pivot
October 2019
Manila, Philippines

• NOW Corporation, together with its telecom arm NOW Telecom

Company, Inc., reached a historic milestone as it entered into a
strategic partnership with Korea’s SK Telecom for NOW’s 5G play.

• The partnership shall leverage on SK Telecom’s expertise to develop

5G technologies and build a 5G network in the Philippines.

NOW Corporation (PSE: NOW) together with its telecom affiliate NOW
Telecom have entered into a strategic partnership with Korean telco giant
SK Telecom for NOW’s 5G rollout.

SK Telecom Co., Ltd (NYSE: SKM) is Korea's largest wireless carrier. In

April 2019, SK Telecom has launched the world’s first commercial 5G service,
taking the lead over other countries. SK Telecom has obtained the number
one spot in terms of 5G subscribers in Korea, covering major cities
nationwide.

The trilateral (NOW Corp – Now Telecom – SK Telecom) agreement includes

critical areas of collaboration and development for 5G in the Philippines:
Technical Roadmap Planning - Network Conceptualization and Design - 5G
Core Network Training - Establishment of 5G stand-alone (SA) network
commercial infrastructure – In-building Solutions and 5G B2B Service
Development.

As a strategic partner, SK Telecom will also extend its new 5G based

applications and solutions to provide enterprises and home broadband users
in the Philippines with game-changing and unparalleled experience.
NOW Corporation’s telecom affiliate NOW Telecom Company, Inc., is a
grantee of a 25-year congressional franchise during the 17th Congress to
carry on the business of providing telecommunications services throughout
the Philippines and other countries and territories, including outer space.
It is likewise a grantee of an Authority to install, operate and maintain
cellular mobile telephony system (“CMTS”) from the National
Telecommunications Commission.

NOW Telecom is one of only four cellular mobile license holders apart from
SMART, Globe Telecom, and Dito Telecommunity.

The partnership signing took place in Manila, Philippines, on October 24,

2019. The agreement was signed by Shim Sang-soo, Vice President and
Head of Infra Business Office of SK Telecom, Dr. Thomas G. Aquino, NOW
Corp Chairman, and Mel V. Velarde, NOW Telecom Chairman.

“SK Telecom is pleased to enter into a strategic partnership with NOW

Corporation and NOW Telecom to deploy 5G network in the Philippines,”
said Shim Sang-soo. “SK Telecom will work closely with NOW to achieve 5G
network innovation to deliver greater value to NOW customers.”

“With SK Telecom’s global leadership in 5G, NOW can leapfrog competition

and hit the mobile gigabit ground running with almost zero trial and error.
Imagine the kind of compelling customer experience enjoyed by Koreans
from 5G to arrive on our shores by a flick of a finger! That’s what this
collaboration is all about,” said Mel V. Velarde.

“This strategic cooperation with SK Telecom is a historic milestone for NOW.

SK Telecom brings its wealth of experience in 5G to provide unparalleled
experience to Filipino data users. SK Telecom’s rich experience in
deployment also means a robust, scalable, and cost-effective network for
NOW. NOW is confident that the combination of cutting-edge and low-cost
technology and innovative products and services will make NOW a true
game-changer in the Philippine telco landscape," said Dr. Thomas G. Aquino.