Globe’s entire network now 4G capable

MANILA, Philippines - Globe Telecom Inc., jointly owned by conglomerate Ayala Corp. and Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, has equipped its entire network with 4G technology to provide its 43 million subscribers with faster and more reliable wireless Internet connectivity. 

Ernest Cu, president and chief executive officer of Globe, said the rollout of the HSPA+ technology was completed last month equipping its network with 100 percent 4G coverage.

“The Globe 4G HSPA+ network extends the company’s ability as a telecommunications provider to adequately serve high data usage of customers amid proliferation of bandwidth-intensive applications and growing preference for smartphones and other mobile devices,” Cu said.

He explained that the 4G HSPA+ network greatly enhances customers’ digital lifestyle as technological innovations constantly change the way people live and communicate.

 “More and more people are more drawn into living the digital lifestyle and what they download, explore, and share online define their identity and lifestyle as digital citizens,” Cu added.

He emphasized the technology would help underpin economic growth in the country as the technology enables Globe to provide the required capacity and performance for the rapidly growing data consumption of business enterprises.

“Globe’s pervasive 4G HSPA+ technology is most relevant to businesses that are looking for ways to enhance productivity and lower costs by adapting newer technologies that require fast and reliable data connectivity,” Cu added.

The rollout of both 3G and 4G HSPA+ infrastructure for the entire Globe network forms part of the company’s transformation efforts. It managed to fully equip its network with 3G technology last June.

According to him, Globe would continue to upgrade its facilities in line with its thrust of future-proofing its network as technologies continue to evolve at a much faster rate. 

Globe recently tapped Paris-based Alcatel-Lucent for the transformation of its wireless network infrastructure to be able to provide faster internet services to its subscribers.

The partnership calls for the transformation of wireless network infrastructure of Globe in the Visayas and Mindanao that would be upgraded to long term evolution – Time Division Duplex (LTE-TDD) and LTE – Frequency Division Duplex (LTE-FDD) ultra-broadband access technologies from WiMax (worldwide interoperability for microwave access).

This will provide higher network capacity, plus faster transmission speeds, addressing the ever-increasing demand for broadband service with higher bandwidth in a country of more than 105 million mobile subscribers.

Globe has committed to invest as much as $400 million to fire up LTE-capable base stations over the next two years. For this year alone, Globe has earmarked between $600 million and $650 million for its capital expenditures including investments in 4G LTE sites.

To further expand its coverage across the nation, Globe is also building more 3G and 4G cell sites and expects the total number of stations to exceed 6,500 by the end of the year.