NOW Leads Strategic Dialogue on ICT Networks and Trusted Connectivity at AFCEA Indo-Pacific Technet Summit, Gifts Historic 1734 Murillo Velarde Map as Symbol of Alliance
MEDIA RELEASE
Immediate Release
May 20, 2025
Critical Advisory Issued for BPOs and U.S.-Affiliated Companies Operating in the Philippines
NOW Corporation (PSE-listed), holder of a significant 24.3% stake in NOW Telecom Company, Inc., draws attention to a critical Public Advisory recently disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange, originally issued by the Trusted Network Alliance—an initiative spearheaded by NOW Telecom in collaboration with U.S. government-supported cybersecurity and digital infrastructure programs.
This advisory underscores significant business continuity and legal risks emerging from recent regulatory actions by the Philippine National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), specifically its sudden and unexplained cancellation of NOW Telecom’s license despite its status as the sole U.S.-certified “clean network” provider in the country.
The Trusted Network Alliance strongly advises all Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) organizations and U.S.-affiliated businesses operating within the Philippines to immediately conduct a comprehensive review of their telecommunications and IT infrastructure contracts. The advisory highlights:
- Potential exposure to U.S. federal and state regulatory compliance violations due to utilization of non-compliant or banned network equipment.
- NOW Telecom’s status as a grantee under the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) for 5G and nationwide broadband infrastructure.
- NOW Telecom’s strategic role as a supplier to U.S. military logistics contractors, thus impacting operational integrity and compliance with international standards.
Given the significant financial stakes, with the Philippine BPO sector generating over $38 billion annually, immediate action is crucial to mitigate risks of enforcement actions from U.S. regulatory bodies.
Recommended Actions:
- Thorough review of current telecom and IT service agreements.
- Identification and assessment of all network equipment and infrastructure for compliance with U.S. regulations.
- Immediate consultation with legal advisors to understand and mitigate any potential regulatory and legal exposures.
NOW Corporation remains committed to transparency, good governance, and the protection of stakeholder interests. Further disclosures will be made available as developments warrant.
References:
- Philippine Stock Exchange Disclosure https://edge.pse.com.ph/openDiscViewer.do?edge_no=c709c194c148fa64ec6e1601ccee8f59
- NOW Telecom Company, Inc. “Motion for Reconsideration of the NTC Order dated 19 March 2025,” filed 15 April 2025. (Attached)
- NOW Telecom Company, Inc. “Motion to Admit the Attached Amplified Motion for Reconsideration (of the NTC Order dated 19 March 2025),” filed 9 May 2025. (Attached)
Contact for Further Information:
Trusted Network Alliance Communications Office
Email: hello@trustednetworkalliance.com; Website: www.trustednetworkalliance.com
On 19 May 2025, NOW Corporation was officially notified by its associate NOW Telecom Company, Inc.
regarding a Public Advisory issued by the Trusted Network Alliance (an initiative led by NOW Telecom in
partnership with U.S. government-backed cybersecurity and digital infrastructure programs) pertaining to
emerging regulatory developments with material implications for the telecommunications, business process
outsourcing (BPO), and U.S.-affiliated business sectors operating in the Philippines.
The advisory, which is publicly issued and herein quoted in full below, is part of the Company’s continuing
disclosure obligations and in accordance with good governance and transparency practices. The Company
is currently evaluating any impact this may have on its operations, investments, and compliance posture,
and shall provide additional disclosures as warranted.
“Public Advisory
To All BPOs and U.S.-Affiliated Companies Operating in the Philippines
Issued by the Trusted Network Alliance, Led by NOW Telecom
May 2025
In light of recent regulatory developments, all BPOs and U.S.-affiliated companies operating in the
Philippines are strongly advised to conduct an immediate review of their telecom and IT infrastructure
contracts — particularly those involving third-party suppliers utilizing banned or non-compliant equipment
and technologies under U.S. federal and state regulations.
This advisory is issued following the sudden and unexplained cancellation of NOW Telecom’s license by
the Philippine National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), despite its 25-year franchise and status
as the only U.S.-certified “clean network” provider in the country. This action has triggered escalating
concerns over violations of U.S. compliance rules and is expected to lead to formal federal and state
investigations.
NOW Telecom is a U.S. taxpayer-funded grantee under the U.S. Trade and Development Agency for 5G
and National Broadband infrastructure and serves as a supplier to a U.S. military logistics contractor. This
unexpected disruption to our operations underscores the real and imminent business continuity and legal
exposure risk that will likely extend to BPOs and U.S. companies dependent on non-compliant network
infrastructure.
The Philippine BPO sector, which contributes over $38 billion in annual revenue, is now at heightened risk
of being drawn into U.S. enforcement and prosecution proceedings unless immediate compliance measures
are taken.
We urge all affected entities to:
• Review all supplier agreements and third-party service contracts for telecom and IT infrastructure
• Identify any use of non-compliant or unverified equipment or networks
• Seek immediate legal counsel to evaluate and mitigate any exposure under U.S. federal and state
law”
The Company’s core operations are not directly affected by the regulatory action against NOW Telecom
subject of the TNA Advisory. It Company operates independently across various ICT, digital media, and
enterprise solutions verticals, and maintains partnerships with multiple telecom service providers beyond
NOW Telecom.
Nonetheless, as the Company holds a material equity interest in NOW Telecom, regulatory or legal
developments that impact the latter may affect the valuation, growth trajectory, and strategic contribution
of this association to the Company Corporation. Specifically:
• – Short-Term Impact: Potential disruption to NOW Telecom’s ability to deliver services may cause shortterm financial effects on the value of NOW Corporation’s investment.
• – Long-Term Impact: The regulatory uncertainty may affect NOW Telecom’s future performance, which
could influence NOW Corporation’s long-term strategic planning and investor outlook.
• – Legal and Reputational Considerations: The issues raised may attract scrutiny from foreign regulatory
agencies, particularly those in the United States, where NOW Telecom is a grantee of the USTDA and is
engaged in cybersecurity-aligned initiatives.