Globe introduces its first LTE handset

MANILA, Philippines - Globe Telecom is now offering the Huawei Ascend P1 LTE in its Globe Stores under its suite of fully customizable postpaid plans.

Huawei Ascend P1 LTE is the telco’s first exclusive smartphone offering that runs on its fourth-generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. 

The Huawei Ascend P1 LTE is available for free at Globe Unli Surf 1799, bundled with unlimited data for uninterrupted and worry-free mobile surfing, P800 monthly consumable for calls and text messages, and three call and text freebies that are changeable monthly.

Subscribers can boost their Unli Surf Plan with unlimited services available for as low as P175 monthly, valid for 30 days.

Available in Globe Stores in Glorietta, Greenbelt, Rockwell, and Ayala Triangle, the Huawei Ascend P1 LTE is also offered at lower postpaid plans with minimum cash-outs.

For as low as P1,499 monthly, the Huawei Ascend P1 LTE is available at Unli Surf 999 at P500 cashout for 24 months. A prepaid kit is also available at P21,000.

Huawei Ascend P1 LTE has a 1.5GH Dual Core, 1GB RAM, 4.3-inch Super AMOLED capacitive multi-touch screen, Android ICS with eight-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.

To use the LTE-powered Huawei Ascend P1 LTE, Globe postpaid subscribers need a Globe LTE SIM, also available in Globe Stores in Glorietta, Greenbelt, Rockwell, and Ayala Triangle.

Replacement of regular Globe postpaid SIM to an LTE SIM is free of charge to all postpaid subscribers availing themselves of the LTE device.  

“Finally, the first LTE smartphone arrives in the Philippines, and it traverses through the Globe doorsteps via our Globe Stores. Subscribers can now purchase the Huawei Ascend P1 LTE under our unlimited data plans and experience mobile browsing speeds of up to 100 Mbps, on-time exchange of text messages, as well as clearer calls and faster call connections. Together with our device partners, we are excited to bring a world-class mobile experience that is LTE to our subscribers, truly empowering them their way,” said Martha Sazon, head of Globe Postpaid.

Globe will soon be offering its second batch of LTE exclusive smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S III LTE, ZTE T81, and a host of other LTE enabled smartphones with more Globe LTE sites fired up.

The Huawei Ascend P1 LTE runs perfectly on the Globe 4G LTE network, which has quickly expanded in key commercial and residential areas in Makati since its launch last September. By yearend, the Globe 4G LTE network is expected to cover sites in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao, and more areas nationwide by 2013.

With the Globe 4G LTE network, peak throughput speed will enable users to download and upload files, HD videos and other multimedia content at a much higher bit-rate, faster than HSPA and HSPA+ technology, with LTE peak speeds of up to 60 Mbps for outdoor coverage and 30 Mbps for deployments inside buildings.

Instead of “pocket activations” or “hotspots,” the 4G LTE network rollout of Globe will focus on large contiguous areas of coverage to ensure greater and more stable coverage for customers.

“The speed of our LTE network is at least 10x faster than existing 2G and 3G networks, giving quicker responses to every user application such as video and mobile gaming. Finally, the Globe 4G LTE network boasts of better outdoor coverage by using advanced antenna solutions,” said Robert Tan, chief technology adviser of Globe.

Last October, Globe launched its 4G LTE broadband stick, Tattoo Black, through its flagship broadband brand Tattoo. Tattoo Black is a premium mobile broadband stick powered by LTE for an Internet connection at breakneck speed with the best overall broadband performance.

Globe also unveiled the country’s first-ever LTE data roaming service, allowing Globe subscribers roaming with partner operators abroad to enjoy the same high-speed LTE data usage as they can in LTE-covered areas within the Philippines.

Globe initially partnered with China Mobile Hong Kong Co. Ltd. for the LTE data roaming service and will soon launch the same service with SK Telecom in Korea.