GLOBE Telecom Inc. has deployed advanced small-cell technologies to further reinforce its network’s strength and meet the demand for connectivity in the southern tip of the Philippines.
The initiative is part of the mobile operator’s partnership with Alcatel-Lucent that provides for the rollout of state-of-the-art wireless modern network technologies in the Visayas and Mindanao to improve coverage and data capacity.
Also included in the rollout are increased fiber backhaul, use of integrated macro and microcell technologies with primary consideration for landscape and tourism potential of the region.
Tourist-laden Boracay Island in May was chosen as the initial rollout area for advanced small-cell technologies. Globe fired up additional 3G, LTE, Wi-Fi and the first outdoor small cells in the Philippines during the festivities in the summer.
The enhanced customer experience gave strong impetus for the telco company to further augment the use of small-cells technology in the coming months, said Robert Tan, chief technical advisor at Globe.
He said the intensified network performance has also prompted the Media Operations Committee of the ongoing Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation-National Organizing Council to award all network and Wi-Fi facilities at the International Media Center inside Boracay Ecoville Resort to Globe.
“We started improving the fiber connection of Boracay in 2012. Since then, we have progressively improved our network’s performance by optimizing our available spectrum, technology and radio hardware, harnessing maximum allowable capacities.
As Globe aims to build the best network in the premier island destination with the full potential of our current spectrum, we enable our customers to live out their Globe-powered digital lifestyle wherever they are in the island,” Tan said.
He noted that the current technologies introduced by Globe in Boracay can deploy speeds of at least 5 Mbps, and up to 100 Mbps on WiFi, significantly improving its data speeds from last year.
The small cells’ mini-base stations using lower transmit power strategically positioned around the island – can support multiple technologies, including 3G and LTE. They have been activated during special events such as the APEC, concerts and fiestas such as the LaBoracay, in cafes and restaurants as well as in commercial areas for Globe customers to enjoy a full digital experience on their phones and devices.
Tan said that with the rapid increase of data demand and to deliver on the telco’s promise of providing its customers their digital-lifestyle experience, technologies such as small cells will continually be rolled out in several areas across the Globe network.
Traditional hardware such as regular macro cells cannot easily deliver the same amount of data capacity in high-foot traffic areas.
Globe’s net income stood at P4.2 billion in the first three months of 2015, a surge of about 43 percent versus its P2.95 profit the year prior. Core net income – which strips off one-time gains and losses – rose by 25 percent versus the P3.4 billion reported in 2013, outpacing the growth of its top competitor.
In the same comparative periods, revenues increased by 13 percent to P26.2 billion from P23.2 billion, while operating expenses and subsidy grew by a slower 5 percent to P15.21 billion from P14.43 billion.
The company aims to end the year with at least P100 billion in revenues, as it beefs up its core businesses, banking on its multimillion-dollar data infrastructure modernization program for 2015.
Globe is spending $850 million in capital expenditures this year to further boost its network’s reach and capacity.