Globe led in telco infrastructure builds and tower construction over its competitors based on a report by the National Telecommunications Commission to Malacanang.
The
latest NTC data showed Globe built 786 new towers from July to December 2020
despite challenges posed by the pandemic. On the other hand, competition built
323 towers. The ramped up builds were made possible through the enabling laws Bayanihan Act
II and the Joint Memorandum Circular
(JMC) No. 01 s. 2020 signed by ARTA, DICT, DILG, and other government
agencies that mandated the easing of permitting processes.
The Ayala-led telco was able to secure a total of 2,089 permits during this period.
The latest NTC data showed Globe has a total of 10,395 tower sites as of December 2020, while competition had 10,079 and 2,360 towers respectively.
“There
has really been an increase in the tower roll out and I think this is the
positive response to the Joint Memorandum Circular we have done as well to the
President’s directive in easing up permits for the towers. We have seen a
dramatic increase in the tower rollout.
Pag dumami po ang kanilang mga torre, gaganda rin po ang signal natin na masasagap sa internet,” said DICT Usec. Emmanuel Rey
Caintic.
Based
on the NTC data, there are 22,834 cell towers or cell sites in the country. In
comparison, Vietnam has 90,000 towers based on TowerXchange data as of November
2020.
With
the progress made by telcos especially in terms of internet speed improvements
and the country’s improving ranking within the ASEAN region, the DICT continues
to urge telcos to continue with their aggressive builds.
“Tuloy-tuloy
ang push, tuloy tuloy ang pressure ni
Presidente sa mga telco, do not relent on the press, full court press kumbaga,”
Caintic added.
“We
remain committed to improving the voice and data experience of our
customers. This year we are doing a
record amount of investment on capex to upgrade our network, build more cell
sites and accelerate fiber rollouts to homes. We are using the most advanced
technologies like 5G to provide our customers with a #FirstWorldNetwork
experience,” Globe’s President and CEO Ernest Cu said.
Globe
laid out a 3-pronged strategy to improve customer data and internet experience,
which includes aggressive cell site builds; upgrading its cell sites to 4G/LTE
using various frequencies; and fast tracking the fiberization of Filipino homes
nationwide.
Globe
supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically UN SDG No. 9 which emphasizes the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial
drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the
10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.