GLOBE TELECOM, Inc. said some of its customers are still using outdated handsets and 3G SIM cards, depriving themselves of the benefits of 4G network technology.
The mobile service provider is “undertaking massive upgrades to its network infrastructure in various locations all over the country in response to the growing demand for connectivity and capacity as more customers take to the internet for online education and work from home requirements,” Globe said in an e-mailed statement.
But it noted that customers will not be able to enjoy such improvements if they are still on the 3G technology. “If they are still using the old devices and old SIM cards, our customers are depriving themselves of the convenience, speed and efficiency of 4G LTE,” KD Dizon, Globe vice president for mobile business, said.
Globe mobile customers should start migrating to the 4G network technology, which enables 4G compatible phones to connect to the internet faster, Ms. Dizon said.
On Tuesday, Globe announced that it had completed the removal of 3G SIMS from its retail and distribution chains. Globe also said it had upgraded 7,780 cell sites to 4G last month, 26.4% higher than the cell sites upgraded last year. In the National Capital Region and Rizal, 87% of sites were upgraded to 4G.
“Pateros, Marikina City, Valenzuela City, Malabon City, and Navotas are the top cities with the highest percentages of completion while in Rizal, at least 92% of the upgrade is done. Work has also started in Binangonan, Cainta and Pililla to complete the installations in the whole province,” it added.
Telcos are hoping to improve connectivity in the Philippines, especially in the remote areas, in response to the “new normal” caused by the pandemic.
Telcos have said the goal is achievable with the stimulus legislation that reduces the requirements for permits needed to put up and operate cellular towers.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte recently signed Republic Act No. 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act (Bayanihan II), an economic stimulus program that grants the government the power to simplify the permit process for building cell towers. — Arjay L. Balinbin
