Globe announces its largest network update to date!

10 years after introducing data, Globe today shared its largest network update plan to date. The telco giant laid out a 3-pronged strategy to improve voice and data services.

File photo of a Globe 5G antenna located in BGC

Globe's major network upgrade plan

Globe revealed that the first is to accelerate cell site builds to expand coverage and increase the capacity of data with the strong support of ARTA and the recently signed Bayanihan to Recover As One or Bayanihan 2.

The faster processing and release of various national and LGU permits are crucial to jumpstarting the infrastructure builds to improve the country's overall state of connectivity.  

The second is to upgrade all of its sites to have 4G LTE using many different frequencies. Globe noted that it is important for both coverage and speed.

The third is to fast track the fiberization of Filipino homes to improve data experience using wireline connectivity. This is important as Filipinos spend more time at home because of the lockdowns.

Globe hopes to address the growing demand for home broadband with a much large fiber footprint using the "most advanced" technologies.

Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said,

Globe is in a much better position now to fulfill the demands of its customers.  In heeding the call of the government, we shall endeavor to provide our customers with improved network performance and quality of service.  We look towards the future where our country would have a strong digital economy backed by  resilient and reliable connectivity.

To recall, Globe recent released a series of network-related updates such as building 900 cell sites with five shared independent tower companies, securing 190 permits from 85 local government units, network upgrades in eight key areas of Visayas and Mindanao, putting up 32 new towers in key barangays in Quezon City, and the rollout of fiber lines in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, and Davao del Sur.

Globe said that its fiber rollout in the last 8 months already represents a 51.4 increase versus the full year of 2019. Globe is migrating customers from copper lines to fiber FREE of charge.

Just recently, Globe started firing up its 5G networks in key locations as well. See the list of 5G areas here.

In 2020 alone, Globe will spend PHP 50.3 billion in capex. The majority of it will be spent on its network upgrade initiatives.

The network upgrade comes at the heels of the government asking telcos to improve internet services. Globe is also committed to supporting 10 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, such as UNSDG No. 9 on building resilient infrastructure, promoting sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.

All the network upgrades are expected to be completed by 2021.