Malaysian telco tower builder expanding in PH

MANILA  -Malaysia-based telecommunications infrastructure builder EdgePoint Infrastructure is beefing up presence in the local independent tower sector following its partnership with Globe Telecom Inc. to build more sites across the country.

In a recent statement, Philippine subsidiary EdgePoint Towers Inc. said it would support Globe’s infrastructure expansion as a build-to-suit and colocation partner.

“The team will work closely with our counterparts in Globe throughout the whole process right from identifying the right locations to undergoing the complete build process,” EdgePoint Philippines chief Alexander Kiel said.

The number of towers to be built and the timeline of the construction have yet to be disclosed.
Globe chief finance officer Rizza Maniego-Eala said they were seeking to expand their footprint further as the local company ramps up 5G availability in more cities and towns amid the increasing adoption of digital platforms.

“We are looking to partner with industry players who share the same appetite for growth and are confident that both EdgePoint and Globe have similar goals and synergies on how we can further enhance the telecommunications industry, grow both our companies as well as be key contributors to the nation,” she added.

Last year, Globe inked three sale and lease back deals amounting to P91 billion in total for its 7,059 towers in a bid to improve cost efficiency.

EdgePoint made its foray into the Philippine market last year when it acquired 2,934 towers from PLDT Inc.

The Southeast Asian independent tower provider is set to construct 750 towers for PLDT in the next few years. A tower site is estimated to cost about $100,000 to $130,000 each.

EdgePoint is looking at doubling its tower asset portfolio in the country in the next five years, banking on the growing demand for data usage with the rise of 5G technology.

Suresh Sidhu, in an earlier interview with the Inquirer, said they were projecting that the Philippines would need about 2,000 to 4,000 new sites per year.

“This latest partnership with Globe is in line with EdgePoint’s aim to become a leading independent tower [company] in the Philippines, where we will continue to apply the vast combined experience of our leadership team and industry partners to fortify our growth trajectory,” Kiel added.

The EdgePoint group is currently managing 14,000 towers across the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. INQ

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