Globe Telecom Chief Operating Advisor Peter Bithos and President and CEO Ernest Cu fire up the telco’s 3G network, which has achieved 100 percent coverage nationwide.
MANILA, Philippines—Globe Telecom has achieved 100 percent 3G coverage for its entire network, providing its customers with high-speed wireless internet for faster data interchange on their mobile devices. It is the first telecommunications company in the Philippines to have done so.
In a statement issued Thursday, Globe said it also expects to fully equip its network with the more advanced 4G infrastructure, with the HSPA+ technology, by the end of the third quarter. This would further strengthen the company’s capability to provide wonderful digital lifestyle experience to its growing 43 million customers, as they will be able to enjoy faster data connectivity even as they use bandwidth-intensive multimedia data applications, such as video and photography.
“With a 100 percent 3G network, we now have a robust capacity for high-speed mobile data access. Providing our network with full HSPA+ coverage in 90 days will provide an even faster mobile internet experience. This increases potential for more digital innovation and enhances wonderful customer experience,” Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said.
Cu added that the combined 3G and 4G infrastructure of Globe Telecom will further drive mobile data explosion in the country amid rising demand for smartphones.
The rollout of both 3G and 4G HSPA+ infrastructure for the entire Globe network forms part of the company’s transformation efforts, which delivered the most modernized telecommunications infrastructure in the Philippines. Putting in a brand new access, transport and core network nationwide, the transformation enhanced coverage in major points of convergence and provided a more reliable network, not only for messaging and voice-calls, but especially for fast internet connection.
According to Cu, Globe Telecom’s transformation initiative also enhanced in-building coverage in major malls, hotels, hospitals, major highways and airports, further enriching customer experience.
“The benefits of staying connected have never been greater, leading to the growing prevalence of smartphones and other mobile devices. People are able to experience high-speed internet, allowing them to stay connected to their homes and offices anytime and anywhere, making it so much easier for our customers to stay productive even when doing many other things,” Cu said.
To further expand its coverage across the nation, Globe is also building more 3G and 4G cell sites. By the end of the year, Globe Telecom’s total number of cell sites is expected to exceed 6,500. “Our transformation journey does not end with the 3G and 4G technologies. We will continue to improve our network’s infrastructure to accommodate our customers’ fast-paced digital lifestyle needs,” he added.
Globe Telecom’s modernized telecommunications infrastructure is expected to underpin the subscriber growth moving forward as smartphone penetration becomes more prevalent. As the company continues to attract high-end customers in both postpaid and prepaid segments, the number of Globe customers using mobile data, currently estimated at around 30% of its total subscriber base, is expected to rise even further.