Globe says its 5G now covers 80% of Metro Manila

GLOBE TELECOM, Inc.’s fifth generation (5G) is now able to reach 80% of Metro Manila through its recent upgrades, with main business districts experiencing the most connectivity coverage, the company said.

The company said that it upgraded 884 Metro Manila locations into 5G-ready sites, with Bonifacio Global City, Makati and Ortigas commercial business districts now reaching a coverage of 97%, 95%, and 97%, respectively.

The top nine cities with 5G coverage are San Juan (91%), Pateros (91%), Mandaluyong (86%), Makati (84%), Caloocan (84%), Manila (83%), Marikina (83%), Pasig (81%), and Quezon City (80%), Globe said in a statement on Thursday.

The telecommunications firm is also installing more 5G ready sites to boost coverage in areas like Cebu and Davao. 5G reach in Cebu has 61% coverage, while Davao has 60% coverage, the company said.

“We continue to invest on our network so our customers get to experience the many promises and opportunities of the most advanced technologies like 5G,” Globe President and Chief Executive Officer Ernest L. Cu said.

“With our aggressive roll outs, our network is getting closer to making the whole of Metro Manila 5G ready.”

Globe’s attributable net income as of September 2020 fell 10.15% to P15.89 billion from the previous year’s P17.68 billion.

The Philippines ranked 96th out of 139 countries in mobile internet speeds in December, according to the Speedtest Global Index run by American internet testing and analysis firm Ookla. The country ranked 100th out of 176 countries for fixed broadband download speeds.

Shares in Globe on Thursday were unchanged at P2,100 each. — Jenina P. Ibañez