Globe Telecom and Ayala Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with KDDI and Mitsubishi Corporation to conduct a joint study on 9Intelligent City initiatives in Makati City, Philippines.
The project is built around AI, the Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, urban data integration platforms, and advanced telecom offerings, with a stated intent to improve transportation, retail and commercial services, energy management, and digital city services.
Makati City 9Intelligent City scope covers transport, energy and retail
The joint study will focus on Makati City, described as the Philippines premier business district. The planned use of AI, IoT connectivity, urban data integration platforms, and advanced telecom offerings targets multiple city functions, from transportation to retail and commercial services, plus energy management and digital city services.
KDDI brings lessons from Takanawa Gateway City smart-city work
KDDI said it will share insights gained from its ongoing smart city initiative in Takanawa Gateway City. KDDI also described Takanawa Gateway City as a testing ground for technologies designed to foster a more connected urban environment.
Study could extend beyond Makati as Manila-Japan MoUs expand
The joint study may be expanded to other urban areas in the Philippines. The MoU agreement among the four companies was one of three MoUs signed on Wednesday by Philippine and Japanese firms during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s official visit to Japan this week.
More Philippines-Japan deals also target payments and GCash expansion
The same set of Philippines-Japan agreements includes Ayala Corporation, Mynt, and Mitsubishi partnering to develop 9Smart Life digital services intended to streamline daily transactions for Filipinos. 9Smart Life includes rewards programs, ticketing services, online payment platforms, and digital marketing solutions, with an expected revenue contribution of approximately 7 billion Philippine pesos (US$113.61 million).
Separately, Ayala Corporation, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Mitsubishi Corporation, and Mynt signed an agreement to expand GCash services in the Philippines and internationally. GCash is described as the Philippines leading mobile payment app and e-wallet, operated by Mynt, a subsidiary of Globe Telecom, and the partnership aims to develop better digital payment systems, lending services, and investment products while strengthening online security; it also plans to integrate GCash into Ayala and Mitsubishi business ecosystems across retail, real estate, energy, mobility, and digital services.
Mitsubishi and MUFG previously invested $700 million in GCash. Ma. Cristina Roque, the secretary of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry, said the three new partnerships reflect strong investor confidence in the countrys ability to advance digital innovation, smart infrastructure, and financial technology, and she added that the deals are expected to make everyday transactions faster and more convenient.