Nationwide Globe Duo coverage eyed

MANILA, Philippines—Globe Telecom Inc. is targeting the nationwide coverage of its mobile “Globe Duo” service by the end of the year, connecting the company’s subscribers with millions of landline users in the Philippines.

The “Duo” service, launched in 2009, allows Globe subscribers to call any landline number within covered areas without having to pay mobile tariffs. Users subscribed to the “Duo” service are also assigned virtual landline numbers.

Initially available only Metro Manila, Globe said the “Duo” service now covers 49 areas around the country.

“Globe Duo is an innovative service that has dramatically changed the way people communicate by providing subscribers with a more convenient and more affordable calling service. As Globe Duo expands to more areas nationwide, we are able to bridge more people and provide them with better value services,” Globe consumer business senior advisor Peter Bithos said.

“Globe Duo has also effectively helped small and medium enterprises to grow and become more productive partners towards nation-building. And as we continually beef up our network capacity, we also look forward to increasing coverage for Globe Duo across the Philippines,” he said.

The combined mobile and landline service is now available in Iloilo, Misamis Oriental, Ilocos Norte, Albay, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Aklan, Biliran, Compostela Valley, La Union, Occidental Mindoro, Sarangani and Sorsogon.

The company said it had also strengthened its coverage in Metro Manila, Cebu, Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, Pangasinan, Negros Oriental, Leyte, Antique, South Cotabato, Rizal, Bohol, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Batangas and Quezon.

The Globe “Duo” service is available to users for P450 for 30 days.

“Globe Duo is a testament of the company’s commitment to continuously provide our customers with the most affordable and most convenient ways of communication using only the latest wireless services,” Bitho said.  “With Globe Duo, a subscriber enjoys the world’s first fully convergent solution that works across both fixed and mobile networks, using only one SIM, one phone and one billing statement,” he added.