Globe Telecom Inc. is targeting to fast-track the construction of more cell sites to connect remote and mountain barangays in selected towns in Iloilo, Leyte, Palawan, Aklan, Maguindanao, Cotabato, Misamis Oriental, and Davao de Oro in the next few months.
Benjamin Garcia, President and Division Head of Business Operations, Strategy and Support of Globe Telecom said the company recently answered the calls for connectivity of mountain barangays in Liloan, Cebu.
Speaking during an online webinar dubbed “Livable Cities Lab on Basic Infrastructure for Better Livability” on Wednesday, Garcia said their build plans cover areas as far as Victoria City and Sta. Barbara, Barotac Nuevo and Alinog in Iloilo; Mabatnon in Leyte; Brookespoint in Palawan; Kalibo, Aklan; Pikit, Cotabato; Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, Monkyo, Davao de Oro; and at least two other towns in Maguindanao.
Garcia underscored the importance of communication and connectivity as vital to any city’s progress.
“Adapting to the latest technology can bring life-enriching solutions,” he said.
According to Garcia, through the years, the country experienced the shift from one technology to another.
“From personal correspondences done through rotary landline or even a telegraph, communication is now better. While mass communication has not changed significantly as it is still done through TV, radio and print, today, everything is now possible through the internet through either the web or via apps,” he said.
“Today, we are connected more than ever. Access to information has never been as easy as tapping our screens.”
According to Garcia, part of every community’s progress is being able to access the latest technology especially when these solutions are meant to enrich lives through ease and relevance.
“We want to simplify technology to bring customers to what matters most,” he said.
Garcia highlighted the constant upgrading of Globe, from the introduction of SMS or short messaging system in 1994, to improving data connectivity through 3G in 2005, and now 4G.
“We have since significant improvement to our network. From 4Mbps download speed in 2016 now 25.34 Mbps on fixed broadband and 15.44 Mbps on mobile,” he said.
“Given the significant investment in more efficient networks, we are now able to provide more value for money plans. Offer from 23 per gigabyte in 2017 to only P10 per gigabyte.”
He noted that data connectivity is important to every Filipino. He said an average Filipino now spends 9 hours 45 minutes online every day, making better telecommunication infrastructure imperative.
“Globe’s networks rollout and expansion efforts seeks to cover more ground and connect more Filipinos,” he said.
Currently, he said capital expenditures to revenue ratio alone at 32.4 percent shows how Globe is ramping up cell site builds and fiber to homes to service about 76 million Filipinos.
Currently, he said Globe is gearing up for its largest national network transformation anchored on a three-pronged strategy namely: acceleration of cell cite builds to expand coverage and increase data capacity; upgrading all cell sites to have 4G/LTE; and optimizing its frequency to provide better coverage and speed.
“With 4G everywhere, the country will be-data ready and capable of meeting customers’ increasing demand for bandwidth and faster speed,” he said.
He also said Globe is fast-tracking the “fiberization” of Filipino homes to improve data experience using wireless connectivity, the majority of which is to be completed by 2021.
“We look forward to a robust digital economy backed by reliable and resilient connectivity,” he said.
“The recently signed joint moratorium circular on streamlining of permit is a big win for the industry. It is one of the major changes we need to give more Filipinos better connectivity. Our partnerships with the LGUs [local government units] have also been advantageous with the same objectivity of providing connectivity to their constituents, we started working with supportive LGUs to bring better coverage in the in their area,” he added.