Faster rollout of 5G wireless technology urged

GSMA, a global mobile network-focused organization, raised the need to ramp up 5G infrastructure in the country to widen adoption of the technology that enables quicker internet connectivity.

Julian Gorman, GSMA head of Asia Pacific, said that demand for 5G was only expected to increase in the coming years as more use cases were being developed.

This is seen as an opportunity for mobile operators like PLDT Inc., Globe Telecom Inc. and DITO Telecommunity to ramp up their investments in 5G-enabling platforms.

READ: 5G seen to supercharge Pinoys’ digital adoption

“Even though we’re five years into the 5G era, it’s still in too early days, especially in countries like the Philippines,” he said.

“5G will be deployed where it’s needed, because 5G technology is actually more efficient,” he added.

The 5G technology enables download rate of more than 10 gigabits per second, which is 100 times quicker than 4G.

According to a report by the mobile insights group, 5G adoption in the Philippines is estimated to rise from just 6 percent in 2023 to 46 percent in 2030. This means nearly half of the Filipino population is expected to tap 5G when accessing the internet.

With this growth, 4G penetration is expected to go down from 80 percent to 51 percent in the same period.

The local players, as such, have been doing their part to increase 5G penetration across the country.

As of end-September, Globe has deployed additional 378 5G sites during the period. As a result, the 5G coverage in the National Capital Region has reached 98.51 percent. The technology enabling faster internet connection is also now available in 94.91 percent of the key cities in Visayas and Mindanao.

PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. has a combined 5G and 4G network available to 97 percent of the population.

In August, it introduced a 5G-enabled mobile device—priced lower than most of the available phones in the market—with global information and communications technology company ZTE to grow its 5G subscriber base.

DITO Telecommunity, meanwhile, has 2,000 cell sites offering 5G connection across the country.