Globe Telecom has been granted an additional five megahertz (Mhz) of cellular phone frequency by the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) which is necessary for the network to accommodate more subscribers and offer the latest in mobile phone technology.
The NTC decision, issued a year after Globe made the request, will bring the company's total bandwidth to 15 MHz, similar to that of arch rival Smart Communication Inc.
Smart received the five MHz in June last year, bringing its frequency allocation to 15 MHz while Globe's application was only recently approved by the NTC.
"We sought the additional frequency in light of our corporate direction to pursue a deliberate aggressive GSM network build-up. And we welcome the NTC decision which came at a most opportune time when our subscriber numbers are picking up at a phenomenal rate," Rodolfo Salalima, Globe senior vice president for legal and corporate affairs, said.
Globe's customer base has already exceeded the one million mark which is just a few thousands away from that of Smart's combined analog and digital subscribers.
The additional frequency, Salalima said, would prevent network congestion since it provides a much bigger capacity.
Globe and the NTC are currently working to clear the company's frequency allocation in the 900 MHz band which is being used by authorized groups and individuals, especially in the provinces, prompting Globe to complain that it cannot fully utilize its bandwidth.
At present, Salalima said that Globe has embarked on a deliberate strategy which combines an aggressive sales and marketing program alongside an overall network expansion and quality program that can sustain and support the telecommunication-based needs of a fast growing digital subscriber base.
For this year alone, Globe has earmarked $300 million for its GSM network expansion and upgrade program that will improve the firm's network capacity and quality in all components of its GSM network, including switching, networks subsystems, transmission, as well as outdoor and indoor cell sites.