Globe Telecom Inc. said on Tuesday that the Philippines still has “a lot of catching up to do” in telco infrastructure builds, but noted that with the implementation of new policies, 5G rollout should be “faster.”
Ernest Cu, the company’s president, blamed the bureaucratic red tape for the apparent lag of the Philippines in terms of telco infrastructure builds, saying it has “affected the deployment of 5G.”
“I think we’re so far behind that it’s going to take some time. Given the fact that the country has a limited number of cell sites owing to its past history where it was very difficult to build cell sites,” he said.
Cu, however, is now optimistic, as new policies were implemented amid the pandemic.
For instance, he said, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) lifted the ban on the construction of critical infrastructure, including cell sites along national roads.
Cu said his group is “committed to bring more bandwidth capacity to Filipinos at lower cost by tapping more efficient technologies like 5G.”
5G, he added, is Globe’s tool to “fulfill” its “promise of better data experience and faster internet speeds.”
Globe introduced 5G in the Philippines in 2019, when it launched its fixed wireless service for the home. It has also since introduced 5G mobile services.
Based on Globe’s latest report, at least 88 percent of the National Capital Region now has 5G outdoor coverage and is also available in at least 82 percent or more in 13 cities in Metro Manila. 5G is also now accessible in 81 percent of Cebu City; 73 percent of Cagayan de Oro City; 73 percent of Davao City; 68 percent of Boracay Island; 68 percent of Bacolod City and 53 percent of Iloilo City. Six sites are also being installed in General Santos City and another one in Zamboanga City.
Globe is spending P70 billion in capital expenditures this year to further modernize its fixed and wireless networks. Bulk or 80 percent of the capital outlays will go to data network builds, including 5G.