CELL SITE BUILDS BRING JOBS, GOOD EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

AMONG the hardest sectors hit by the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is the country’s workforce. The travel restrictions, health protocols and practically stoppage of thousands of companies and industries all over Luzon have resulted in many layoffs and changes on how people work as compared to the precovid-19 period.

Companies like Globe are capable of becoming economic catalysts during these difficult times. Keeping people connected requires a reliable network with capacity and coverage, and this is an area of opportunity to provide jobs.

Whenever a local government unit allows a telco to build one single cell site in its area, jobs can be created. While typically a company employs people to design, engineer and build a cell tower, it also needs outside help, usually done through vendors and outsourced parties to do actual deployment and later on continuing operation of the cell site. The limited movement of people from one municipality or city to another makes it practical for the company to enlist the services of skilled workers in the area where it will build the cell site.

From the very start of acquiring a site to build on, people are needed to look for the ideal site location, getting approval from lot owners and securing permits needed for the structure plus other concerns.

“There are a lot of skilled manpower resources needed to set up one cell site. Other than Globe’s own people, there are many others involved in a cell site build: civil engineers, construction people—masons, electricians, carpenters, welders, vertical construction workers, painters — and other workers,” said Joel Agustin, Globe SVP for Program Development, Network Technical Group.

A construction of a single cell tower may take from six to 22 weeks depending on its design and location. For residents without a job, six to 22 weeks of a steady source of livelihood make a big difference in their desire to put food on the table for their loved ones.

Not only the residents will benefit if an LGU allows a telco to proceed with its expansion targets, but the whole municipality or city will also reap the rewards of having a reliable source of connectivity. Local economies are also expected to flourish because the community will be able to link up with prospective customers, investors and even business partners.

Local government units (LGUS) now play a crucial role in providing the right connectivity infrastructure for workers and business as they shift to work from home, online business and other transactions in the new normal.

“What happens in the rural areas is that once a cell site is built, economic activities usually follow. Communities begin to thrive because so many opportunities have been opened to them. We have seen this in remote areas with poor signal before. Because of this, it is becomes an essential part of an LGU’S governance agenda to ensure their community is enabled,” Agustin explained.

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Globe underscored that it remains committed to bring the best possible service to its customers. Despite travel restrictions, the company has aggressively pushed for network expansion as people work from home and more companies rely on telcos for their Internet connections.