MANILA – Globe Telecom and the Metro Manila Development Authority signed a deal that will allow the leading telecommunications company to deploy wireless infrastructure in MMDA controlled areas as part of its efforts to enhance network coverage and capacities and improve its customers’ internet experience.
The landmark agreement will enable the telco operator to fast track deployment of LTE 700 MHz, LTE 1800 LTE 2600 which are additional frequencies the company recently acquired from San Miguel. Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu and MMDA Chairman Emerson Carlos signed the deal today (August 8) at the MMDA headquarters.
“The permitting process for the deployment of wireless infrastructure has been a major challenge for telecommunication operators like Globe and the MMDA’s decision to support our efforts in providing better mobile coverage for our customers is a groundbreaking development that will lend valuable support for our endeavor of ushering the Philippines to become a digital nation,” said Cu. According to him, the partnership will particularly improve mobile coverage and network capacities in major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.
The agreement initially covers MMDA flood control facilities located in different areas in Metro Manila such Diosdado Macapagal Blvd and Barangay 190 in Pasay City; Sta Ana, Tondo, Quiapo, Pandacan, Sta. Cruz, Binondo, Sampaloc, Paco and Sta Mesa in Manila; Balong Bato in San Juan City; Channel Taguig, Barangay Wawa and Barangay Hagonoy in Taguig City; and C6 Tapayan in Taytay, Rizal.
With the deployment of wireless mobile infrastructure in these locations, Globe will be able to provide better mobile service and capacity particularly for data, said Cu. He also said the two organizations are also working on expanding the agreement to include MMDA pylons and street lights to cover major thoroughfares that include EDSA, C5 Road, Ortigas Ave., Quezon Ave., Espana Blvd., Roxas Blvd., Commonwealth Ave., Marcos Highway and SLEX.
Aside from enhancing mobile coverage and capacities in MMDA controlled areas, Globe will also provide connectivity support as well as video monitoring equipment in flood control facilities of MMDA which will enhance public safety program of the agency particularly since a number of locations in Metro Manila are flood-prone areas.
Following its recent acquisition of new spectrum assets, Globe has been on an aggressively upgrading its wireless infrastructure to improve mobile coverage and enhance network capacities as more and more Filipinos are shifting to smartphone use. In early June, Globe also signed a similar agreement to provide free Wi-Fi connectivity in all 13 MRT stations along EDSA. The company also signed a similar agreement to provide free Wi-Fi services in all 20 LRT 1 stations.
Globe has set aside for 2016 a capital expenditure of $750 million, bulk of which will be used to boost data capacity and expand network reach. In line with its vision of ushering in a digital nation, the network build will also increase the capacity of its network for both mobile and wire lines using different technologies including 3G, LTE and Wi-Fi.
From left are Globe Vice President for Sales, Enterprise Group Dion Asencio; Globe Director for Site Acquisition Vincent Tempongko, Globe Senior Advisor for Enterprise and IT-Enabled Services Group Mike Frausing; Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu; MMDA Chairman Emerson Carlos; and MMDA OIC-AGM for Operations Director Baltazar Melgar.
