Globe deploys 1,700 LTE sites

Globe Telecom Inc., which is maximizing the use of spectrum assets, has deployed close to 1,700 Long Term Evolution (LTE) sites using the 700 Megahertz (MHz) frequency.

In a statement, Globe said its LTE sites using the 700 MHz frequency, which provides better indoor coverage, has reached close to 1,700 to date.

It said the aggressive deployment of LTE sites using the 700 MHz frequency, has resulted in the improvement in the country’s mobile speeds.

Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index report for January 2018 showed average download speed for mobile internet in the country improved to 12.55 Mbps from 9.34 Mbps in January last year, while upload speed increased to 5.86 Mbps from 4.68 Mbps a year earlier.

Joel Agustin, Globe senior vice president for program governance, network technical group, said the company is ramping up network investments to maximize available spectrum to better serve customers.

This, as more and more consumers are shifting to LTE-capable devices.

Aside from the 700 MHz frequency, Globe also got an additional frequency allocation in the 2600 MHz band following the acquisition of San Miguel’s telecommunication assets.

Globe has so far, rolled out close to 2,000 sites on the 2600 MHz and 1800 MHz bands.

Majority of the company’s LTE sites using the 700 MHz, 2600 MHz and 1800 MHz bands were deployed in areas such as Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao as these have a high number of customers using LTE-capable devices.

Using the 2600 MHz, Globe has also fired up around 170 massive MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) sites.

Through MIMO technology, a mobile network can multiply the capacity of a wireless connection without requiring more antennas.

As such, the technology increases wireless throughput and allows catering to more users at higher data rates with better reliability while consuming less power.

“We are already getting close to providing the entire Metro Manila with seamless LTE coverage amid customers’ growing requirement for bandwidth-intensive multimedia content. As the need for bandwidth is likely to increase further moving forward, the aggressive use of 700 MHz and other spectrum allocation will enable us to stay ahead of the demand curve,” Agustin said.