Globe partners with Korean firm to expand int'l LTE roaming service

Globe Telecom has partnered with South Korea’s largest mobile operator to expand its 4th Generation international Long Term Evolution (LTE) international data roaming service coverage. The local telecom's partnership with SK Telecom also aims to boost the country’s second largest South Korean visitors market. In a statement Wednesday, Globe said of the total 4.3-million tourist arrivals in the Philippines last year, 24.13 percent — or more than one million tourists — were from South Korea, a 9-percent jump from the figures in 2011. With the partnership, Globe said tourists coming to the Philippines can have seamless connectivity in Globe LTE-covered areas when they use social networking sites to connect with friends and relatives in South Korea, do video calls, and other web-based mobile activities. Furthermore, Globe is  expanding its LTE roaming service with operators from Australia, Singapore, US, Japan, Canada and the Middle East. As of April 2013, the Globe LTE network has expanded to cover more areas nationwide. Aside from Makati, Globe LTE coverage is now available in select areas in Manila, Pasig, Quezon City, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Mandaluyong, Cebu City, Davao City, and Boracay. The Globe LTE rollout focuses on large, contiguous areas instead of sporadic distribution in the form of pocket activations or hot spots to ensure greater and more stable coverage. “Globe was the first to introduce LTE international data roaming in the Philippines partnering with the biggest carriers abroad such as China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited and now with SK Telecom,” said Rizza Maniego- Eala, Group Head for Globe’s International Business. Globe first launched its partnership with China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited in October last year. “Commercialized LTE data roaming takes an important role in the future direction of next generation services, thus calling for strategic partnerships between carriers around the world," said SK Telecom Senior Vice President and Head of the Operators Collaboration Marketing Office Kim Young-Sup. — KBK, GMA News