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Branded Content

As most of us continue to be stuck at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic, connectivity becomes increasingly vital to our day-to-day existence and survival: We need good internet services to work (and consequently continue to have income); order groceries, food, and other essentials; stay connected to family and friends; stay up-to-date on credible news and other sources of information about what’s happening around us; and primarily manage to stay sane.

Amidst all the bad news we eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday, it’s always good to receive some good news, like that of Globe’s largest network upgrade to date, 10 years after it introduced data with its nationwide network transformation program. The network upgrades come at the heels of the government asking telcos to improve internet services, especially at these times when connectivity is a critical need.

Globe laid out a three-pronged strategy to improve the voice and data experience of its customers: first, to accelerate the building of cell sites to expand coverage and increase capacity for data. With the strong support of ARTA (Anti-Red Tape Authority) and the recently signed Bayanihan to Recover As One or Bayanihan 2, the faster processing and release of various national and local government unit (LGU) permits are crucial to jumpstart the infrastructure builds to improve the country’s overall state of connectivity.

Second is to upgrade all its sites to have 4G/LTE using many different frequencies, which are important for both coverage and speeds. With 4G everywhere, the whole country will be data-ready and capable to meet the increasing demands of customers for bandwidth and faster speeds.

Third is to fast-track the fiberization of Filipino homes to improve data experience using wireline connectivity. As Filipinos spend more time at home because of lockdowns, Globe hopes to address the growing demand for home broadband with a much larger fiber footprint using only the most advanced technologies.

All network upgrades are expected to be completed by 2021. Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said, “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.”

The company previously released a series of network-related updates, including the building of 900 cell sites with five shared independent tower companies (towercos), securing 190 permits from 85 LGUs, network upgrades in eight key areas of Visayas and Mindanao, as well as putting up 32 new towers in several key barangays in Quezon City. Globe is also rolling out fiber lines in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Cebu, and Davao del Sur (Iloilo too, please!). The telco’s fiber roll out during the last eight months represents a 51.4% increase over the whole year 2019. To date, the company is proactively migrating customers from copper lines to fiber free of charge.

Even as Globe undertakes a massive network upgrade, it is also firing up its 5G network, targeting areas in key locations such as Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Makati CBD, Rockwell Center, Ortigas CBD, strategic areas along EDSA and C5, Taguig, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, Las Pin͂as, Valenzuela, and Caloocan. (San Juan should be included too, right?)

Globe is 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. To know more visit their website.

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