Globe Telecom, the Philippines’ second largest mobile operator by subscribers, has announced that its 4G network rollout continues apace with 500 cell sites using the 700MHz band already installed, as part of a drive to improve mobile internet services in the country.
Joel Agustin, Globe senior vice president for Program Governance, Network Technical Group, said that the vast majority of the newly deployed LTE-700 sites are focused in Metro Manila and other highly populated areas where a majority of customers using LTE-based handsets are located. Mr. Agustin added that Globe is on course to meet its goal of rolling out approximately 4,500 multi-band, multi-mode software-defined radio stations to about 95% of cities and municipalities within a three-year period – part of a wider commitment to the regulator the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
‘This is in line with its commitment to fully maximise the use of previously idle spectrum assets that it recently gained access to,’ he said, adding that alongside the 700MHz band works Globe has also switched on no fewer than 900 base stations using its additional spectrum allocation in the 2600MHz band. The higher band rollout has, he notes, mostly benefitted customers in Metro Cebu and Metro Davao areas, with Globe also working on further improving indoor signal and capacity in major cities across the Philippines.