Globe accelerates rollout of LTE cell sites using 700MHz

GLOBE TELECOM, Inc. is targeting to activate more than 500 long-term evolution (LTE) cell sites using the 700-megahertz (MHz) spectrum by the end of 2016, in line with efforts to improve mobile Internet services for consumers.

In a statement over the weekend, Globe Senior Vice- President for Program Governance, Network Technical Group Joel R. Agustin said the company is accelerating the rollout of its LTE service around the country with these new cell sites.

Globe has already fired up more than 150 such sites, mostly in Metro Manila, so far this year. These LTE 700 sites currently cover major business districts, urban and populated areas, where customers using LTE 700 devices are increasing.

“The company plans to activate more than 500 LTE 700 sites across the country by the end 2016,” Mr. Agustin said.

Most of these sites will be located in Metro Manila, which he said would enable Globe to “deliver close to 100% coverage of LTE 700 in the entire metropolitan area,” and significantly improve mobile Internet services.

Globe activated the country’s first LTE 700 site in Quezon City on June 6. From its initial rollout of 11 sites, Mr. Agustin said the number of activated LTE 700 sites in Quezon City has since increased four times.

“We are confident that more and more of our customers will experience improved services as adoption of LTE-capable devices increases and as we continue to deploy LTE 700 in more sites. This is consistent with our strategy of continuously improving internet services using the previously idle 700-MHz spectrum that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) now allowed us to co-use,” the Globe official said.

The 700-MHz band provides better signal penetration and indoor coverage, making it the most valuable frequency range for 4G/LTE technology. It was part of San Miguel Corp.’s telecommunications assets that Globe jointly acquired with Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT). —