 |
| Balingasa High School in Quezon City is one of the 88 schools in Metro Manila where Globe Telecom's Globe At Home deployed its FTTR (fiber-to-the-home) technology to boost internet connectivity. (Image Source: Manila Standard/Globe Telecom) |
Globe At Home recently deployed fiber-to-the-room (FTTR) technology in 88 public schools mostly in Metro Manila, making it the first broadband provider to introduce this cutting-edge WiFi solution to Philippine educational institutions. In partnership with local government units, Globe At Home’s FTTR installation advances digital learning, bringing the brand closer to its goal of enhancing broadband experiences and improving the country’s digital infrastructure. The effort is also in line with the government’s push for wider connectivity in educational institutions across the country as accelerated use of digital technology in learning.
“Empowering schools with FTTR technology is a game-changer in educational connectivity. Our aim is not just to connect schools but to transform them into hubs of digital innovation and learning excellence,” said Globe Telecom's Broadband Business Vice President and Head for Brand Management Raymond Policarpio. “We’re ensuring that students and educators have access to the best digital tools and resources, paving the way for a more inclusive and technologically advanced educational landscape in the Philippines,” Policarpio added. Most Philippine schools still lack WiFi connectivity. As of September 2022, only 860 or just 1.8% of 47,421 public schools nationwide had access to free WiFi, according to Senator Sherwin Gatchalian in a public hearing as he sought to expedite builds of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) infrastructure in Philippine schools. A study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), meanwhile, found that only 27% of students in rural areas have access to the internet, much less than 47% in urban areas.
 |
| Globe Broadband field staff with several teachers of Balingasa High School, Quezon City (Image Source: Manila Standard/Globe Telecom) |
Slow or lacking connectivity has been identified as a key problem for both teachers and students, particularly at the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic, when schools shifted to remote and later hybrid learning modes. By boosting connectivity through FTTR powered by GFiber, Globe is helping public school students experience improved internet service, enabling seamless virtual and interactive learning. This enhancement is crucial in today’s digital age, where the quality of internet connectivity directly impacts educational outcomes. As part of the project, the Globe At Home team also gave school staff a walkthrough on the advantages and capabilities of this new technology. FTTR provides unparalleled connectivity, offering speeds up to 10 times faster than traditional broadband, with the capacity to support up to 120 devices at a time. It extends fiber optics directly into classrooms, allowing broader coverage and enhancing access to digital resources in educational environments. It also effectively addresses challenges such as dead spots and signal obstructions caused by thick concrete walls and multiple floors, ensuring extremely fast and seamless WiFi coverage throughout the entire school premises.
Globe At Home continues to lead the way in broadband technology and digital transformation. It remains committed to creating opportunities and enhancing broadband experiences for Filipinos, aligned with its vision of a more connected and digitally empowered Philippines.
