Globe Telecom Inc. said it is doubling its efforts in constructing new cell sites or towers, as it seeks to “fortify its leadership” in the race for telco infrastructure development in the country.
Ernest L. Cu, the company’s president, said in 2020, his group led the industry with the most number of towers.
Citing data from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Cu said Globe ended 2020 with 10,395 cell sites, beating Smart Communications Inc.’s 10,079, and Dito Telecommunity Corp.’s 2,360 towers.
With this, he said, Globe is further ramping up efforts to continue leading the industry in terms of infrastructure builds.
“Globe is seizing the opportunity to further accelerate its builds in 2021. The target is to put up 2,000 new sites, including in-building solutions and partnerships with independent tower companies,” he said.
The telco is spending P70 billion in capital expenditures this year to further develop its fixed and wireless networks.
The company also said it activated its Taal disaster relief operations on the “heightened possibility” of another volcanic eruption. The telco currently provides Libreng Tawag and WiFi services to three barangays as well as free data access to websites of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
The Libreng Tawag and Libreng WiFi facilities are available in Barangay Tumaway, Talisay Batangas from February 18 to 21, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It was also earlier offered to residents of Barangay Aya and Barangay Poblacion 5 in Talisay, Batangas.
The service is being offered as part of efforts by the #OneAyala group. Ayala Foundation provided food packs and 5,000 face masks while Manila Water Foundation will also provide 500 bottles of 5-gallon drinking water to the affected families.