More and more customers using 5G, says Globe

Globe Telecom said more customers were switching to 5G services, the next generation mobile standard offering ultra-fast internet speeds.

In a statement on Monday, Globe said its 5G customers had reached 860,000 as of July this year.

While this was a fraction of its subscriber base of about 82 million, Globe expected to continue growing its 5G users at a robust pace “in the next few years.”

“More of our customers are seeing the benefits of 5G and are upgrading their SIM cards and handsets,” Issa Guevarra-Cabreira, Globe chief commercial officer, said in the statement.

“We need to accelerate 5G adoption and use in the country so we can catch up and compete with our regional peers,” she added.

Globe disclosed that it had over 1,800 5G locations across the country.

These are in major urban centers in the National Capital Region, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Boracay, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and General Santos.

Zamboanga would also soon be covered, Globe added.

According to Globe, 5G is capable of delivering internet speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G.

The technology also had less lag, making it suitable for artificial intelligence, virtual reality and industrial internet of things apart from consumer use cases like video streaming and gaming.

Despite promises to revolutionize the internet, 5G adoption remains limited due to expensive devices and limited coverage.

Nevertheless, Cabreira said Globe would continue to expand its 5G footprint.

“5G connectivity is the great equalizer since it will make businesses, big and small, more efficient. It also allows Filipinos to access information, do transactions, learn and enrich their digital lifestyle at lightning speeds,” she said.

A pioneer of 5G in Southeast Asia, Globe rolled out commercial services in limited areas in 2019. Last year, it was also the first in the country to complete a 5G call with AIS of Thailand.

—Miguel R. Camus INQ