GLOBE Telecom Inc. yesterday unveiled plans to roll out its fourth generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE) network starting next month—marking a change in strategy from earlier this year, when company officials had more of a “wait and see” stance vis-a-vis the new technology.
In a briefing on Thursday, officials of the Ayala-controlled firm also said that they were on the home stretch of their $700-million network modernization program which, once completed, would sharply reduce the number of problems being experienced by subscribers.
Globe’s surprise announcement of its 4G LTE rollout—which will start in key commercial and residential areas in Makati City—comes amid an aggressive marketing thrust by its larger rival, Smart Communications Inc.—to win over Globe subscribers amid the ongoing network upgrade that has caused difficulty in making calls and sending text messages as well as erratic broadband data speeds.
Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu said that, once completed in the fourth quarter of 2012, the upgraded network would greatly improve the company’s network capabilities and result in dramatically reduced complaints from subscribers.
On Thursday, Globe said that starting September 2012, it will make its 4G LTE service available through its Tattoo broadband service, and expanding to mobile customers by the fourth quarter.
“By September of this year, it’s all systems go to launch the 4G LTE network,” Globe consumer business senior adviser Peter Bithos said in a separate statement. “On top of just offering the fastest speeds on the country’s best broadband service, Tattoo, Globe will offer 4G LTE on a full range of mobile phones by the fourth quarter of the year,” Bithos added.
He pointed out that Globe was the first to introduce 4G WiMax and 4G HSPA+ services, and that will also be the first carrier to offer mobile 4G LTE—a network platform which provides superior data speeds for a new range of mobile phones and gadgets.
This network launch leverages the company’s modernization efforts with an additional 12,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable being rolled out to enable 4G LTE activation for majority of its cell sites.
Bithos explained that the 4G LTE network would focus on providing large contiguous areas of coverage, rather than just “hotspots.”
Key commercial as well as residential areas in Makati City will be first to enjoy 4G LTE service, since the financial and business district posts the highest mobile traffic from residents and transients at any particular time, he said, adding that this service will be expanded to cover regions across Manila, and then Cebu and Davao, and select regions across the country.
At present, Globe has 2,700 4G base stations across the country.