Globe Telecom Inc. and PLDT Inc. are aggressively expanding their networks to address the anticipated higher demand for data using fifth generation (5G) technology this year.
Globe has committed to spend P63 billion in capital expenditures (capex) in 2020, which includes its spillover capex in 2019, to continue its network expansion to meet its customers’ growing demand for data.
Ernest Cu, Globe president and chief executive officer, said the company increased its cellsites deployment last year by 139 percent compared to 2018. The number of base stations last year also increased 69 percent compared to 2018.
In total, these expansions have made Globe’s Long-Term Evolution (LTE) coverage available at almost 93 percent of cities and municipalities all over the country.
“Amid competitive pressures and rising challenges in the operating environment, Globe continues to fulfill its long-term commitment to provide the Philippines with first-world internet connectivity,” Cu said.
Globe said it is now set to transform areas within major central business districts to 5G mobile capable sites within the year.
PLDT’s capex this year is expected to be higher than last year’s P78.4 billion.
Through its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc., PLDT is leveraging on its mobile games and esports market insights in driving 5G.
Smart is also set to deploy indoor 5G coverage to support the training grounds of various esports teams.
PLDT said 5G has the capability to deliver extremely high speeds coupled with lower latency — two factors important in delivering an enhanced gaming experience.
Apart from gaming, 5G also opens up possibilities for applications in other sectors such as retail, transport, manufacturing, logistics and warehousing.
Smart fired up the country’s first 5G base stations in Makati and Pampanga in 2018, transforming
Makati City and Clark Freeport Zone into the country’s first Smart 5G Cities.
PLDT has also partnered with Cisco to transform its IP transport infrastructure into a fully automated, software-defined 5G-ready IP transport network.
With both fixed and wireless infrastructure powered by the country’s most extensive fiber network now at over 307,000 kilometers, PLDT and Smart said they are best positioned to deploy 5G in the country.
In its ongoing LTE and LTE-Advanced rollout, Smart is also deploying 5G-capable equipment and upgrading its network’s Core and Transport elements, including upgrading to fiber the backhaul connecting the network’s cellsites nationwide.
