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| (Image Source: The Philippine Star/Globe Telecom) |
Telecommunications company and digital solutions platform Globe Telecom has more than doubled its 5G footprint to allow Filipinos to enjoy faster mobile and broadband speeds in key areas nationwide. The company ended 2022 with 5G connectivity reaching 70 cities and towns across the Philippines versus 29 in 2021, more than doubling its coverage in a year. Its 5G network is now available to nearly all of the population in the National Capital Region (NCR), Davao City and Cebu. The technology also covers 97% of the people in Bulacan, 95% in Cavite, 90% in Iloilo City and Zamboanga City, 88% in Tuguegarao City, 87% in Laguna, 84% in Pampanga and Cagayan De Oro City, 81% in Boracay, 80% in Bacolod City, 76% in Baguio City, and 39% in Butuan City.
This expansion is in line with Globe’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), particularly SDG No. 9 which underscores innovation and infrastructure as key drivers of economic growth. 5G is the latest wireless internet connectivity that promises faster speeds, higher bandwidth, and more stable internet connections versus 4G. It can deliver internet speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G. This gives users better experience in gaming, streaming and browsing, among others. With the wider 5G reach, Globe is helping drive the adoption of 5G technology in the country and pave the way for the next generation of digital innovation. For instance, Globe has already tested and deployed use cases for 5G Standalone (SA) technology, showcasing the upgraded technology’s potential to transform business operations and improve efficiency, performance, and flexibility. 5G SA offers faster download and upload speeds and better connectivity. More importantly, it can support new and emerging technologies such as the Internet of things (IoT), virtual reality, and augmented reality.
“5G technology is transforming the way we live and work, and Globe is at the forefront of bringing this revolutionary technology to the people. We are committed to providing a #1stWorldNetwork to all Filipinos and our aggressive 5G rollout is just one part of our strategy to meet the growing demand for high-speed, reliable connectivity. With 5G, the possibilities are endless. We are excited to see what the future holds for our customers and the country as a whole,” said Globe Senior Vice President for Network Planning & Engineering Joel Agustin. Globe allocated a record $1.9 billion on its capital expenditures in 2022. As of end-September, it has deployed close to 1.4 million fiber-to-the-homes (FTTH) lines, built 1,064 new cell sites, upgraded over 10,600 mobile sites to LTE, and installed 1,887 new 5G sites nationwide.
Globe and its partners, Eastern Communications and InfiniVAN Inc., are also on track to complete the $150-million Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) by April 2023. The country’s longest domestic subsea cable project aims to improve mobile and broadband connectivity by fiberizing previously unserved areas. Amid the ongoing network upgrade and expansion, Globe emerged as the Most Reliable Mobile Network in the Philippines after securing the highest scores in All Technology Consistency with 82.55 and All Technology Availability with 92.03 based on the third quarter (Q3) 2022 analysis data by Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence®.
