Digital solutions platform Globe said Wednesday it more than doubled its 5G footprint to provide faster mobile and broadband speeds in key areas nationwide last year.
The company said it ended 2022 with 5G connectivity in 70 cities and towns across the Philippines versus 29 in 2021.
Its 5G network is now available in nearly all of the population in the National Capital Region, Davao City and Cebu.
The technology also covers 97 percent of the people in Bulacan, 95 percent in Cavite, 90 percent in Iloilo City and Zamboanga City, 88 percent in Tuguegarao City, 87 percent in Laguna, 84 percent in Pampanga and Cagayan De Oro City, 81 percent in Boracay, 80 percent in Bacolod City, 76 percent in Baguio City, and 39 percent in Butuan City.
5G is the latest wireless internet connectivity that promises faster speeds, higher bandwidth and more stable internet connections versus 4G.
It can deliver internet speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G. This gives users a better experience in gaming, streaming, and browsing, among others.
Globe said with the wider 5G reach, it is helping drive the adoption of 5G technology in the country and pave the way for the next generation of digital innovation.
Globe tested and deployed use cases for 5G Standalone technology, showcasing the upgraded technology’s potential to transform business operations and improve efficiency, performance and flexibility.
5G SA offers faster download and upload speeds and better connectivity. It can also support new and emerging technologies such as the Internet of things, virtual reality and augmented reality.
“5G technology is transforming the way we live and work, and Globe is at the forefront of bringing this revolutionary technology to the people. We are committed to providing a first-world network to all Filipinos, and our aggressive 5G rollout is just one part of our strategy to meet the growing demand for high-speed, reliable connectivity. With 5G, the possibilities are endless,” said Globe senior vice president for network planning and engineering Joel Agustin.
“We are excited to see what the future holds for our customers and the country as a whole,” he said.
Globe allocated a record $1.9 billion for 2022 capital expenditures. It deployed close to 1.4 million fiber-to-the-homes lines, built 1,064 new cell sites, upgraded over 10,600 mobile sites to LTE and installed 1,887 new 5G sites nationwide as of end-September 2022.
Globe and its partners, Eastern Communications and InfiniVAN Inc., are also on track to complete the $150-million Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network by April 2023.
The country’s longest domestic subsea cable project aims to improve mobile and broadband connectivity by fiberizing previously unserved areas.