Globe Telecom says 5G service now covers 17 cities nationwide

GLOBE Telecom, Inc. announced on Wednesday that its commercial 5G service is now available in “17 cities” nationwide.

“In the first week of November, Globe’s 5G network has already reached certain areas in Davao City,” Globe said in a statement.

Globe added that its 5G network in Metro Manila is “on track” for its target to cover “around 80%” of the area by December.

“The company is accelerating upgrades of its existing technology to improve further the connectivity, mobile experience, and unlock vast potentials for its customers as 5G technology in Bacolod, Boracay, Iloilo, Talisay, Lapu-Lapu, Cordova, Minglanilla and Cebu City in Visayas; and in Davao City and Cagayan De Oro in Mindanao becomes available,” it added.

Gil Genio, Globe’s chief technology and information officer, said: “We have a very active 5G development in Metro Manila and we hope to cover 80% of that soon. We are probably in the two-thirds range right now. To complement this, we have also begun to roll out in six key cities in Visayas and Mindanao as part of the overall change we are making to bring 5G to more places and customers in the country.”

Globe recently reported a 22% drop in its attributable net income for the third quarter to P4.39 billion.

Its service revenues declined 3% to P36.68 billion, driven by the sustained drop in traditional voice and mobile SMS.

Ernest L. Cu, president and chief executive officer of Globe, has said the company intends to build more fiber-to-the-homes in 2021. — Arjay L. Balinbin