Globe Telecom Inc. plans to build more cell towers in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) this year to meet the rising demand for broadband connectivity.
The Ayala-led telco said its mobile network now covers a million Filipinos, giving them reliable signals for calls, internet use and daily communication. Still, about 4.2 million people remain outside coverage, highlighting the need for continued expansion.
To address this, Globe continues to build and upgrade its network. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, it rolled out 487 new towers, upgraded nearly 4,000 sites with LTE and activated 235 additional 5G sites. Today, its 5G network supports more than 9.5 million devices nationwide.
The push extends to GIDAs, where 600 operational sites are already live, with a target of 700 by year-end. Industry-wide plans between 2025 and 2028 aim to bring more than 1,000 new towers to these underserved communities.
As of 2025, the Philippines has fewer than 38,000 cell sites, short of the estimated 50,000 required to serve more than 113 million mobile users. By comparison, Indonesia operates more than 121,000 sites, Vietnam around 90,000 and Myanmar has already surpassed the Philippines in tower density. This gap continues to affect the reach and reliability of mobile and internet services nationwide.
Globe’s mobile network now covers 96.13 percent of the Philippine population, serving more than 106 million people, though about 4.2 million Filipinos remain outside coverage. The company invested P56.2 billion in 2024, mostly for network upgrades.
“Every tower we build brings Filipinos closer to opportunity, better education, stronger businesses, and more connected communities,” said Carl Cruz, Globe president and chief executive.
“Expanding our network is how we ensure the Philippines stays competitive in Asia’s digital future,” he added.
These efforts are backed by strong investments. Bulk of Globe’s 2024 capital expenditures was directed toward strengthening and expanding its network.
Challenges remain in building new infrastructure. Lengthy permitting processes, difficulties in site acquisition and local restrictions continue to slow down expansion. Globe has called for streamlined processes and closer coordination with stakeholders to accelerate network deployment.
Asia’s digital race highlights the importance of reliable infrastructure. Each new tower strengthens the country’s digital backbone, enabling students to access online learning, allowing small businesses to connect with markets and helping families stay connected across the archipelago.
Globe’s ongoing projects show the scale of investment needed to close the gap and keep pace with regional neighbors. Expanding tower density and improving service reliability remain central to positioning the Philippines competitively in the digital economy.
