Globe embarks on three-pronged network upgrade to improve connectivity

Ayala-led telco Globe Telecom Inc. is embarking on its “largest network upgrade to date,” as it laid out a three-pronged strategy aimed at improving connectivity by 2021.

In a statement, Globe said the planned network upgrades come on the heels of the government‘s call for telcos to improve internet services, especially at the time of the COVID-19 crisis when connectivity is a critical need.

Globe earlier said it is setting aside P50.3 billion for its capital spending this year, which will support the roll-out of this high-speed mobile technology and further expand the LTE network coverage nationwide.

The telco said it laid out a “three-pronged” strategy to improve the voice and data experience of its customers.

“The first is to accelerate cell site builds to expand coverage and increase capacity for data,” Globe said.

“With the strong support of ARTA (Anti-Red Tape Authority) and the recently signed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2, the faster processing and release of various national and LGU (local government units) permits are crucial to jumpstart the infrastructure builds to improve the country's overall state of connectivity,” it said.

The second part of its strategy is to upgrade all its sites to have 4G/LTE using many different frequencies, which are important for both coverage and speeds.

“With 4G everywhere, the whole country will be data-ready and capable of meeting the increasing demands of customers for bandwidth and faster speeds,” Globe said.

The third strategy, it said, is to fast track the fiberization of Filipino homes to improve data experience using wireline connectivity.

“As Filipinos spend more time at home because of the lockdowns, Globe hopes to address the growing demand for home broadband with a much larger fiber footprint, using only the most advanced technologies,” the company said.

All the network upgrades are expected to be completed by 2021.

“Globe is in a much better position now to fulfill the demands of its customers. In heeding the call of the government, we shall endeavor to provide our customers with improved network performance and quality of service. We look towards the future where our country would have a strong digital economy backed by resilient and reliable connectivity,” Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said.

The company previously released a series of network-related updates including the build of 900 cell sites with five shared independent tower companies, securing 190 permits from 85 LGUs, network upgrades in eight key areas of Visayas and Mindanao, as well as putting up 32 new towers in several key barangays in Quezon City.

Globe is also rolling out fiber lines in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Cebu, and Davao del Sur.

The fiber rollout during the last eight months represents a 51.4% increase over the full-year of 2019, according to the telco.

To date, Globe said it is proactively migrating customers from copper lines to fiber free of charge.

Globe is also firing up its 5G network, targeting areas in key locations such as Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Makati CBD, Rockwell Center, Ortigas CBD, strategic areas along EDSA and C5, Taguig, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Paranaque, Muntinlupa, Las Pin?as, Valenzuela, and Caloocan. — DVM, GMA News