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| (Image Source: Tekkie Pinas/Globe Telecom) |
Globe Telecom reaffirmed its role as a committed government partner in promoting digital inclusion and sustainable connectivity during the Digital Bayanihan Tawi-Tawi leg, led by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Digital Bayanihan highlighted a shared goal between the public and private sectors to expand digital access in far-flung areas, where connectivity serves as a gateway to education, livelihood, and vital public services. Globe’s participation demonstrated its support for the national digitalization agenda through sustained investments in infrastructure and digital tools that close connectivity gaps and enhance daily life in underserved communities.
“Globe is proud to stand beside the national government in realizing the dream of a digitally empowered Philippines. Our work in Mindanao, especially in areas like Tawi-Tawi, reflects our belief that no one should be left behind in the digital age,” said Globe Assistant Vice President for Government Relations Robert Aquino during the event. In line with this vision, Globe has built and upgraded around 2,000 cell sites across Mindanao in 2024 and continues to expand its fiber footprint to deliver reliable mobile and broadband connectivity where it is needed most. Globe pairs its infrastructure efforts with community‑focused initiatives that drive digital empowerment. Partnering with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the company provided nearly 500 mobile phones to 4Ps beneficiaries, enabling them to receive government aid via GCash and improve their quality of life. Aquino added, “Connectivity is a human right. Through stronger infrastructure and community programs, we help Filipinos access opportunities, public services, and economic mobility.”
Globe also encourages the responsible and purposeful use of the internet, guiding communities to harness connectivity for personal and collective development by using digital tools to build resilience and uplift local economies. With the President in attendance, the event gathered leaders including DICT Secretary Henry Aguda, National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez, Tawi-Tawi Governor Yshmael Sali, Bongao Mayor Jimuel Que, and Mindanao State University – Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO) Chancellor Dr. Mary Joyce Gunto-Salih. Globe’s active involvement in Digital Bayanihan reinforces its long-term alignment with the government’s universal connectivity goals, rolling out infrastructure to expand access in remote areas like Tawi-Tawi and help build a digitally inclusive Philippines. Through these efforts, Globe now covers 96.13% of the Philippine population with its mobile network. Based on the 2020 population tally which is over 106 million Filipinos who can rely on mobile signals for calls, internet access, and daily communication. Despite this, around 4.2 million Filipinos still remain outside the coverage areas. These are Filipinos who live in remote towns situated in barely inhabited islands, mountainous regions, or places where terrain and lack of basic infrastructure like electricity have made it difficult to put up digital infrastructure. Reaching these people really poses a challenge.
“There is still much work to be done to bring quality connectivity to every Filipino. Globe remains fully committed to making it happen,” said Globe Senior Vice President for Network Planning and Engineering Joel Agustin. With continuous builds, Globe expects to raise its population coverage because every bit of progress means more people gaining access to vital services and opportunities. In 2024, Globe invested ₱56.2B (56.2 billion pesos) in capital expenditures. Most of that was spent to strengthen the network, building over 1,200 new cell sites, upgrading more than 4,600 to LTE, and putting up close to 600 new 5G sites. This helped bring mobile coverage to near-universal levels in key cities: close to full coverage in Metro Manila, and nearly 97% across major cities in Visayas and Mindanao. Globe continues to focus on areas that are underserved, those with limited or no access. These are now being prioritized in the company’s expansion plans. The goal is not just broader reach, but deeper impact, because for many of these communities a stable mobile signal can open the door to education, livelihood, and business development. “We remain targeted and strategic in our network builds, focused on enabling and uplifting the lives of more Filipinos, and contributing to national development,” said Agustin.
Even as the network grows, Globe is careful not to overlook quality. Over the past three years, it has consistently been recognized as the country’s most reliable mobile network, a reflection of its ongoing efforts to deliver stable and dependable service wherever possible. To reach communities where electricity is still unreliable or unavailable, Globe also uses off-grid and solar-powered towers. On top of that, the company works closely with local governments to speed up permitting and community coordination. The work is far from over, but every new connection brings the country a little closer to closing the digital divide.
