Globe eyes completion of network upgrades in 2021

Ayala-led telecommunications giant Globe Telecom Inc. is eyeing to complete its “largest network upgrade” by 2021 as part of its three-pronged strategy to improve its services and connectivity.

“As we target the completion of our network upgrades by 2021, expect a ‘first-world network’ primed to serve Filipinos today and in the future,” Globe president Ernest Cu said during the virtual “Wonderful World of Globe” event on Tuesday.

“A reliable and dependable network will motivate Filipinos to adopt digital solutions with increasing trust and confidence to use technology in making their lives easier and more fulfilled,” Cu said.

Last September, Globe announced it is embarking on a three-pronged network upgrade strategy 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. 

The initiative is aimed to improve the voice and data experience of its customers.

“We are undertaking a massive network upgrade to build a ‘first-world network’ that can deliver a reliable and consistent experience to power all of our customers’ digital activities,” Cu said.

“We are accelerating cell site builds nationwide to expand coverage and increase data capacity. Despite the limitations of the pandemic, and enabled by the strong support of Bayanihan Act to Recover as One, and joint memorandum circular among ARTA (Anti-Red Tap Authority), DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), and DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology), we continue our extensive network rollouts to improve the country’s overall state of connectivity,” he added.

Globe is also making 4G or LTE the standard of mobile access in the country as the telco upgrades all its cell sites while speeding up the availability of 5G.

“This brings to the whole country improved voice experience with Voice over LTE and Voice over WiFi. For data, we see a more robust experience that will meet the demand for higher bandwidth and faster speeds,” Cu said.

“We are also fast-tracking fiber rollout to Filipino homes to expand wired data connectivity, especially at this time when the Filipino home has become a place of work, learning, and business,” he added.

The telco 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.

Globe also announced its latest offering -  the Surf4All - which allows prepaid, postpaid, Globe-at-home, and TM customers to control how they want to use their data.

“With 20GB for all sites valid for seven days and for only P249, Surf4All provides a single data wallet that is seamlessly accessible and shareable with up to four users across Globe brands,” Cu said. — RSJ, GMA News