...the Nokia technohub

RP chosen Nokia's NetworkLabs hub

New R&D center is launched

By EMMIE V. ABADILLA

July 12, 2011

MANILA, Philippines — Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN), one of the world’s largest telecommunications, hardware, software and services firms, chose the Philippines as its new hub and Monday launched its research and development (R&D) center at the University of the Philippines - Ayala Land Technohub, Quezon City via subsidiary ETSI Technologies, Inc.

President Benigno Aquino III led Monday’s launching ceremonies.


NSN, which employs over 65,000 people in the more than 150 countries it operates in, is confident about the country's resource of skilled engineering students and graduates, stressed Paul Tyler, NSN Head of Asia Pacific Region. Hence, the company decided to locate its NetworkLabs in Asia in the Philippines.

The move will also strengthen the local IT and telecommunications industry, creating jobs domestically and heightening the country’s global presence while NSN develops the future of communications technology and connect the next billion people.


NetworkLabs is directly involved in research work and software development for 3G and 4G radio communication networks for NSN.


"The establishment of NetworkLabs will further enhance the presence of NSN in the Philippines and heighten the company's thrust to solve the 4G challenge," noted Ashish Chowdhary, head of Customer Operations East .


"NSN aims to provide the opportunity for the Filipino engineers to showcase their skills and knowledge on a global scale without having to leave their families yet benefit from the trainings, work exposure and globally scaled challenges NetworkLabs has to offer," Tyler added.


NetworkLabs currently employs close to 300 IT specialists and management staff and is hiring at the rate of 100 to 200 high level software developers quarterly. As the first of its kind R & D center in Asia, it is internationally recognized in telecommunications and has been supporting all R &D teams around the world.


With its Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) accreditation and its potential to become the 4G/LTE Telecommunications Radio Center-of-Excellence in the region, NetworkLabs is expecting to promote and strengthen the Philippine IT sector by taking the lead and making a significant investment in the country.


"By spearheading this effort, NetworksLabs will encourage other companies to bring their R & D more to the Philippines. The company will be the pioneer in a Silicon-Valley like environment where IT incubation start-up companies provide new and innovative software solutions. This will help strengthen the Philippine IT and telecommunications industry," according to Cesar Jacinto Castro, NSN Philippines Country Director.