GLOBE IN NO HURRY TO OFFER 4.5G

COMMUNICATIONS and digital services provider Globe Telecom (Globe) said it would consider offering LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), a faster wireless network that provides internet speeds of up to 250 Mbps, only when more phones that support the technology become more widely available.

Globe said that as of now, the technology would only cater to a small percentage of subscribers.

LTE-A or 4.5G was recently launched by Globe’s competitor, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT).

Globe said it is not that keen to launch the same service because it can only cater to consumers who own handsets that support the technology that offers ‘lightning fast’ internet speeds.

The technology is supported by two Samsung devices—Samsung Galaxy S7 and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.

“We do not have any plans [of rolling out LTE-A],” Globe’s acting chief financial officer Rizza Eala told reporters on the sidelines of the company’s annual stockholders meeting in Makati Wednesday.

With just two handset brands available to carry the technology, Eala said Globe is not that interested in offering the service now.

“There are probably two brands which can carry LTE-A. Being able to announce or look at new technology is easy, but making sure it is relevant is the harder problem,” she said.

“The network is generic. It is offered by network providers. It is a generic layer. We can get it if we wanted to, but why at this point?” Eala said.

Eala said that when the phones that support 4.5G are more widely available in the market, Globe will be ready to participate and offer the service to its consumers.

She said Globe would want the specifics on LTE-A handsets to gauge pricing, promotion and marketing strategies.

“No specific timetable when LTE-A handsets will be available. We need to know pricing, what kind of handsets,” Eala said.

Globe is currently focused on its goal of providing connectivity to 20 million households in 20,000 barangays in the entire Philippines, according to the CFO.

Eala said the telco is working on expanding and strengthening its network.