Mobile services operator Globe Telecom Inc. is embarking on the second tranche of its multimillion-dollar network modernization program—a feat that is seen boosting its capacity and helping plug the infrastructure gap in the Philippine telecommunications industry.
Ernest L. Cu, president of the Ayala Corp.’s telco arm, said his company is ready to pour in billions of pesos to implement its program that will build up the listed firm’s data capacity and coverage.
“Coverage is something that consumers have, but coverage is not enough. We have to retune our network once again to increase our mobile and wireline capacity by 70 percent,” he said.
Cu said this program will future-proof Globe’s network for another round of data explosion, as users morph into what he calls “data monsters.”
“Data access is currently one of the most important drivers of economic competitiveness and growth. For the Philippines to fully take advantage of new digital opportunities, we need to create an Internet superhighway and provide ultra-fast Internet connection that will enable growth in every corner of our country,” he explained.
He added: “We want to make use of technological innovations to make Internet service experience at par with other countries.”
Bulk of the company’s capital expenditures for 2015—pegged at $750 million—will be spent to deploy fiber-optic cables in 20,000 barangays all over the country to provide faster and more reliable Internet access in about 2 million homes nationwide.
The infrastructure buildup is expected to take five years and will extend network coverage to more areas that currently have no connection or spotty service.
Cu emphasized that elsewhere in the world, new digital trends such as cloud computing, mobile web services and e-commerce are already radically changing the digital landscape.
In line with its vision of ushering in a digital nation, the expansion will also increase the capacity of its network for both mobile and wirelines using different technologies, including 3G, LTE and even Wi-Fi.
It will, likewise, replace the old copper wires that have been used for wireline connections in the past.
One of the most important advances in broadband technology, fiber optics offer the fastest way to access data, providing consumers with higher download and uploads speeds, lower latency and faster Internet browsing, including streaming of high-definition multimedia content, among others.
Cu said that, unlike the company’s previous network modernization program, this one will be as pervasive as possible. It will also depend on other stakeholders, such as the cooperation of local government units and homeowner’s associations.
“This is not just about the business of connectivity. This is also giving everyone the opportunity to create their own business and experience growth as a result of connectivity,” he said. “We have come to that point where we could all come together and make use of connectivity to benefit as many Filipinos as possible.”