Globe banks on LTE to boost broadband subscriptions

MANILA, Philippines - Ayala-controlled Globe Telecom Inc. sees a sustained double-digit growth in broadband subscribers with the launch of its fastest, premium broadband stick powered by long term evolution (LTE).

Dong Ronquillo, head of Globe’s Tattoo nomadic broadband business, said the recent launch of the Tattoo Black would help the company sustain a double-digit growth in subscribers this year as it starts offering LTE services in Makati City next month.

“With the entry of Tattoo Black, Tattoo cements its formidable position as the most preferred broadband in the Philippines,” Ronquillo stressed.

LTE is a technology that is capable of high-speed data for both mobile phones and data terminals.

Data showed that Tattoo posted a 22 percent growth in subscriber base to 1.6 million in the first half of the year from 1.3 million in the same period last year, while revenues jumped 13 percent to P4.1 billion from P3.65 billion.

The telecom provider said its broadband service has grown by an average of 99 percent per year in number of subscribers and 84 percent per year in service revenues between 2007 and 2011.

“Tattoo has sustained leadership in the Philippine broadband industry with sustained double-digit revenue expansion, driven by rising internet usage as a result of the popularity of social networking sites and the growing affordability of tablets, personal computers, and laptops,” he added.

Globe was the first to introduce 4G technology in the Philippines in 2009 with the deployment of its worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMax) network.

During the same year, Globe and its partner Singapore Telecom began testing 4G LTE in the Philippines with speeds of up to 100 mbps.

In 2011, the company introduced the 4G evolved high-speed packet access (HSPA+) network.

Ronquillo said LTE services would initially be available in key commercial and residential areas in Makati City wherein subscribers would enjoy speed and reliability of Globe 4G LTE.

“By end October, we would have fired up close to 50 sites in Makati and we are confident to hit 100 sites by the end of the year,” he said.

He added that other central business districts that post high mobile traffic such as Alabang, Ortigas, and Greenhills would enjoy the LTE services.

The Tattoo Black Postpaid Plans are Tattoo’s premium plans that feature LTE technology with browsing speeds of up to 42 Mbps.

Plan 1799 features a free regular LTE stick, speeds of up to 28 Mbps, and basic Tattoo Black benefits. You can choose to upgrade your device to a SuperStick (Wi-Fi sharing device) for a minimal fee of P150/month for 24 months.

Plan 2499 features a SuperStick (Wi-Fi sharing device), speeds of up to 42 Mbps, and Tattoo Black Elite Benefits.