Globe Telecom Inc. is on track to build 900 cellsites with five shared telecommunications tower companies (towercos), as part of its strategy to expand network capacity and coverage nationwide.
Globe’s partnerships with Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. (AIC), ISOC-edotco, Transcend Towers Infrastructure (Philippines), CREI Philippines and Frontier Towers & Associates (FTA) have advanced its cellsite tower acquisition and build phases.
“The partnerships with towercos will greatly complement the company’s target in expanding its capacity and coverage throughout the country. These projects will be a catalyst for change in the industry as telcos are empowered to deploy beyond their individual capabilities in a cost-efficient manner,” said Rizza Maniego-Eala, Globe chief finance officer and chief risk officer.
Globe finalized a pole lease agreement with AIC, a subsidiary of the Aboitiz Group, and is seen to increase its footprint by about 200 cellsites in more parts of Cebu, Davao and Subic.
In addition, 300 macro sites will be completed for deployment in north and south Luzon, while 400 more sites will be assigned within the year to cover Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The count is projected to increase expansively once the pilot sites of these projects are launched.
Globe said among the five towercos, ISOC-edotco is the first to deliver a tower for activation, with more currently underway and expected to be completed within the year.
Globe has committed to be the anchor tenant in a build-to-suit agreement with Transcend Towers, a subsidiary of American Tower Corp., as well as in tower lease agreements with ISOC-edotco, CREI and FTA.
“These infrastructure partnerships demonstrate Globe’s commitment to improve the network quality experience of our customers. It is, likewise, highly supportive of the government’s initiative to increase ICT infrastructure in the country,” Maniego-Eala said.