Globe, partner launch mobile service in UK

Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. is offering a mobile telephony service for Filipinos working or visiting the United Kingdom.

A filing in the Philippine Stock Exchange showed that UK Globetel Ltd., which was identified as a member of the Globe group of companies, launched a UK mobile service in partnership with France-based Transatel on July 20.

This means services such as voice calling, text and multimedia, load top-up and mobile data are now being offered by UK Globetel to Filipinos residing or visiting the UK through Transatel’s platform.

“This new offering is consistent with Globe’s thrust to continue providing Filipinos overseas with innovative and value for money services that allow constant communication ties with family and friends,” Globe said in its filing.

Globe officials, meanwhile, said in a briefing Monday that it was urging residents of upscale villages in Metro Manila and nearby provinces to adopt the use of specialized signal boosters to improve network coverage in their areas as it denied anew that these technologies carry health risks.

The company, which invested $700 million in its network modernization plan, is now moving to address coverage gaps, Yoly Crisanto, head of corporate communications, said during the briefing.

This includes negotiating with homeowners’ associations of gated subdivisions like Dasamariñas and Forbes Park in Makati City, said Globe head of network technologies strategy Emmanuel Estrada said yesterday. The villages are among the about 300 areas in Metro Manila and parts of Rizal, Laguna and Cavite which, Globe said, had yet to receive the full benefits of the telco’s network upgrade.

At present, Globe delivers services to its subscribers through traditional cell sites located at the perimeter of these villages. However, these signals are no longer sufficient given the increased volume of data use due to the prevalence of smartphones.