Amid easing permitting bottlenecks, Globe Telecom plans to install at least 800 cell sites in the final quarter of 2020 to meet rising demand.
Globe said in a statement the rollout would cover most parts of the country with Metro Manila getting the lion’s share.
“Putting up more cell sites will pave the way for better data experience and expanded coverage. We expect mobile signals to improve moving forward especially in challenged areas,” said Joel Agustin, Globe senior vice president for program delivery, network technical group.
It said 319 sites would rise in Metro Manila and Rizal, while another 100 would be built in North Luzon.
In Southern Luzon, Globe would build sites in Albay, Batangas, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Cavite, Quezon, Laguna, Marinduque, Masbate, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan and Romblon. At least 64 towers and small cell sites are being planned in the region.
In Visayas, 147 installations are being eyed in Cebu apart from Aklan, Antique, Bohol, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Samar and Negros Oriental.
Globe said a total of 190 installations would rise in these provinces.
The company would also build 166 cell sites in Mindanao, with Davao Del Sur getting the most number among the 23 provinces and one city covered by the expansion.
“Using newer technologies like easy macro and small cell sites, we are also addressing the need for more capacity and fill the gaps in areas where we can not immediately build our towers,” Agustin said. —MIGUEL R. CAMUS