TAGUIG CITY, PHILIPPINES (January 08, 2025) – The Asia Open RAN Academy (AORA), in collaboration with Globe Telecom, celebrated groundbreaking achievements in digital connectivity and workforce development at the recent Collaborators’ Appreciation Day. This milestone event, held at the Globe headquarters in Bonifacio Global City, highlighted strides in advancing Open RAN technology in the Philippines and laid the foundation for future innovations.
AORA focuses on propelling Open RAN technology forward in the Philippines. Open RAN is a mobile digital connectivity approach that disaggregates network components, vendor-neutral hardware, and software-based solutions, to drive vendor competition across the ecosystem. It has the potential to significantly reshape the global telecommunications network ecosystem by lowering costs, advancing security, and encouraging new entrants into the market. The goal of Open RAN is to make network services more accessible for new network builds.
AORA Collaborators’ Appreciation Day (ACAD) emphasized the crucial role of partnerships in fulfilling the nation’s connectivity aspirations. Eric Florimon-Reed, Manila Deputy Director for the Office of Economic Development and Governance at USAID stated, “International collaboration and innovative technology are vital to achieving inclusive and sustainable digital development.” USAID has a long history of supporting initiatives promoting economic opportunities and digital inclusion, with the Open RAN ecosystem serving as a cornerstone of these endeavors in the Philippines and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
During the event, AORA shared its 2024 achievements, training programs, new partnerships, and ambitious 2025 roadmap to expand Open RAN adoption in the Philippines.
Developing a skilled workforce for Open RAN deployment is a core element of AORA’s mission. To do this, AORA works with universities, government agencies, and industry leaders such as Globe Telecom. Globe’s IP Ecosystem Lead, Achie Atienza, is the current chairperson of the organization, demonstrating Globe’s strong commitment to this technological advancement.
“Leading AORA allows me to incorporate best practices from global community exposure, signifying different challenges, solutions and opportunities, highlighting our adaptability and “diskarte”. We aim for A Collaborative Holistic Interoperable Ecosystem that will pave the way for mutual progress and development amongst the stakeholders–users, vendors, competitors, regulators and partners in the Philippines and beyond,” said Atienza.
KD Dizon, Vice President and Head of Globe Business, expressed support for the partnership, remarking, “We are thrilled to partner with AORA in championing Open RAN technology and building a skilled workforce to drive the future of telecommunications in the Philippines. This collaboration is essential to position the Philippines as a leader in digital innovation, leveraging Open RAN to drive progress and ensure remarkable outcomes.”
Globe President and CEO, Ernest Cu, emphasized Globe’s dedication to Open RAN as part of its infrastructure modernization strategy. “Globe is leading the charge in modernizing the telecommunications industry in the Philippines. By embracing Open RAN, strategic vendor diversification, and investments in 5G and network virtualization, we are constructing a future-ready network that fosters innovation, and inclusive growth for the country.”
AORA invites all stakeholders—government agencies, private sector partners, educational institutions, and industry leaders—to participate in this journey. By contributing to AORA’s permanent trust fund, sponsoring AORA’s 2025 anniversary celebration, and offering expertise through volunteering or co-project implementation, stakeholders can help with the deployment of the Open RAN ecosystem.
For more information, please contact:
info@asiaopenran.academy
About AORA
The Asia Open RAN Academy (AORA) is a key initiative dedicated to advancing Open RAN technology in the Philippines. Through strategic partnerships and educational programs, AORA aims to build a robust workforce capable of deploying and managing Open RAN systems, supporting the country’s goal of full connectivity and digital inclusion.
About Globe
Globe Telecom, Inc. is a leading full-service telecommunications company in the Philippines and publicly listed in the PSE with the stock symbol GLO. The company serves the telecommunications and technology needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connectivity, internet and managed services. It offers innovative digital solutions in the areas of fintech, healthtech, adtech, climate tech, shared services and venture capital. In 2019, Globe became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, committing to implement universal sustainability principles. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel, acknowledged industry leaders in the country and in the region.
