Globe Telecom said it is deploying a cost-effective green technology called RuralLink to expand reliable telecom services in remote communities.
Globe said that for years, delivering mobile coverage to far-flung areas demanded substantial investments in large-scale macro cell sites, where the high costs of equipment, site leasing or acquisition and maintenance made 2G and LTE service financially unfeasible in sparsely populated regions.
It said a solution called RuralLink aimed to address these challenges to narrow the digital divide and expand its coverage.
“Providing connectivity to all Filipinos demands solutions that are both cost-efficient and eco-friendly. Through our strategic partnerships, we are pushing the boundaries of network technology,” said Joel Agustin, Globe head of service planning and engineering.
“RuralLink enables us to reduce our carbon footprint and power consumption while ensuring that no community is left behind in the digital age,” he said.
RuralLink merges the capabilities of multiple antennas into a single, compact unit, reducing capital outlay and operational expenses and simplifying installation.
RuralLink will initially cover 20 locations, with plans for further expansion as Globe brings connectivity to more underserved and unserved areas.
RuralLink’s lighter build – weighing 101 kilograms and occupying 48 liters less than standard macro sites – decreases material usage and structural load, making installations easier, faster and less expensive.
Globe said that compared to typical macro sites, RuralLink consumes 65 percent less power and can potentially reduce about 4,800 kCO2e (kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions equivalent) of greenhouse gas emissions for each site per year.