Connect with us

Globe

Putting Up Cell Sites in Philippines is Telecom Industry’s Single Biggest Challenge

Published

on

GLB CCS INFOGRAPH ASIA a

Being one of the Asian countries with lowest cell site density, the Philippines is forced to serve more internet users per cell site compared to most of its neighbors. Setting up more telecommunications infrastructure continues to be challenging in the country, hampered by lengthy permit applications and some uncooperative stakeholders.

GLB CCS INFOGRAPH ASIA a

Latest data from TowerXchange and We Are Social showed that user-per-cell site density in the Philippines is now about 4,036, based on estimates of 16,600 total cell sites against internet users of around 67 million internet users as of first quarter of the year. This shows a stark difference when compared to some of its neighboring countries like India, Indonesia, China, and Vietnam.

 

India, with 1.459 million cell sites against 462 million internet users, has a user-per-site density of 316. Indonesia, with over 91,700 cell sites against 132.7 million internet users, has a user-per-site density of 1,446. China, with 1.95 million cell sites against 751 million internet users, has a user-per-site density of 384. While Vietnam, with 70,000 cell sites against 64 million internet users, has a user-per-site density of 914.

 

Advertisement

The disproportionate number of cell sites versus internet users in the Philippines is mainly attributed to difficulties in securing permits from various local government units (LGUs), homeowner associations (HOAs), and other stakeholders, causing considerable delay in the construction of such facilities, Globe Chief Technology and Information Officer Gil Genio said.

 

For Globe Telecom, more cell sites are needed as its network saw mobile data traffic soar by 49 percent to 641 Petabytes during the first nine months of 2018, from 430 Petabytes recorded in the same period in 2017. As of end September 2018, Globe clocked in 65.4 million mobile customers, the majority of which are internet users. For instance, around 246,700 Globe active customers in Cotabato City in Maguindanao are forced to share only 13 cell sites. This shows the urgent need to build more towers in order to serve the current data traffic that continuously grows exponentially over the past months.

 

“Consumer demand for mobile data is growing at an explosive rate. This means more and more cellular towers have to be deployed to keep up with the demand. But deployment is only the final step to a potentially long, costly site acquisition process,” Genio said.

Advertisement

 

Lengthy permits

 

To cater to the rising demand for data, Globe has been accelerating the deployment of cell sites across the Philippines. This is part of its initiative to continue building on its network capacities for better quality of internet experience. But in the absence of regulations on the construction of passive telecommunications infrastructure, LGUs impose their own requirements, slowing down the deployment of cell sites.

 

Advertisement

Aside from LGU permits, HOAs, exclusive subdivisions, and building administrators also impose certain guidelines and requirements based on Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) Resolution No. R-626 issued in 1998. From negotiations and documentation of prospective cell site location to securing structural permits and approvals, Globe estimates an average of eight months and over 25 permits before it can build one cellular tower.

 

Non-present health risks

 

Several exclusive villages and HOAs in the Philippines also refuse to have network-boosting cell sites deployed in their vicinity because of unfounded health risk linked with exposure to radiation emitted from cell sites.

Advertisement

 

Global authorities in radiation safety, like Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and World Health Organization (WHO), have affirmed that proximity to cell sites does not cause any known health risks, contrary to what many HOAs and exclusive villages in the country believe. Even the Department of Health has taken all the necessary precautions in ensuring that the Philippine standard of thermal emissions from local cell sites are at least four times lower than what has been approved globally.

 

In a bid to bring the Philippines closer to first-world internet connectivity, Globe continues to push for cooperation among all stakeholders, from the public sector, down to the barangay level,  property developers, and homeowners.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Globe

Globe earns recognition as Climate Leader in Asia-Pacific for second year in a row

Published

on

For two consecutive years, leading digital solutions platform Globe has been recognized as one of Asia Pacific’s Climate Leaders. The list developed by the Financial Times and Global Market Research Firm, Statista honors companies that are making significant strides in reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

 

Globe is the only Philippine telco company included in this year’s line up. The company sees this recognition as a testament to its commitment to climate action, backed by its energy-efficient technologies and sustainable network operations.

 

“Being recognized by the Financial Times as a Climate Leader for the second time reaffirms our commitment to make a positive impact to the environment.  This inspires us to continue on our path to net zero. We believe that collaboration between us and our stakeholders is key in our roadmap towards a more sustainable, low-carbon future,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer.

 

Advertisement

Globe’s inclusion in the list was a result of the rigorous process conducted by the Financial Times and Statista, where they examined the carbon footprint of thousands of companies in the region.

 

The assessment considered factors such as revenues, independent emissions data reporting, adherence to Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reporting, and CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project) ratings among others.  Globe stood out for its substantial reductions in its core emissions intensity between 2016 and 2021, demonstrating not only its financial growth but its dedication to climate action.

A core part of Globe’s success comes from the implementation of numerous climate action initiatives over the years, from deploying green network solutions, piloting off-grid network technologies in remote and disaster-prone areas, adopting eco-friendly batteries, adopting green, low-carbon optical networks technologies, and shifting to renewable energy consumption in its key sites.

 

Advertisement

In line with these, Globe has also ventured into engaging its supply chain, establishing sustainability criteria in its procurement and vendor assessment processes, and rallying business partners to support and follow sustainable practices.  The move propelled a collective, company-wide journey towards greener operations, in line with its commitment to achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050.

 

Coming from the company’s commitment to set science-based targets through the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) in 2021, Globe is set to submit targets to SBTi for validation and approval this year. Ahead of its submission, Globe achieved a 4.42% reduction in its total Scope 1 and 2 emissions driven by the company’s energy management programs and continued shift to renewable energy sources for its high energy sites. This exceeded its interim voluntary reduction target of 4.2% Linear Annual Reduction Rate (LARR) set in 2022, aligned with the SBTi reduction rate for the 1.5˚C global warming scenario.

 

To learn more about Globe’s sustainability commitments and strategies, visit Globe’s Sustainability page. For the latest Globe Integrated Report, click this link.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Globe

Globe leads 5G speeds in key Mindanao cities

Published

on

Globe dominated major areas in Mindanao in terms of 5G speeds for the first quarter of the year, as it remains firm in its commitment to providing faster and more reliable connectivity to Filipinos nationwide.

Based on Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® Q1 2023 data, Globe topped the 5G mobile segment in Cagayan de Oro with a median download speed of 159.298 Mbps, Misamis Oriental with 157.795 Mbps, and Zamboanga with 99.916 Mbps. Globe’s 5G outdoor coverage has reached 90.2 percent in key cities of Mindanao.

This latest wireless internet connectivity offers huge advantages over 4G. With speeds up to 100 times faster, higher bandwidth, and a more stable internet connection, 5G can revolutionize the way people live, work, and play, and help bridge the digital divide.

Globe 5G speeds Mindanao

As a 5G pioneer in the Philippines, Globe helps drive the adoption of 5G technology in the country and paves the way for the next generation of digital innovation. This is in line with its commitment to driving economic growth and development through innovation and infrastructure under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“The importance of 5G connectivity cannot be overstated. It can unlock countless opportunities for growth and development, not just for businesses but also for individuals and communities. 5G can bring new education and health services to remote areas, create new job opportunities, and spur economic development in the region. This is why Globe is committed to bringing 5G connectivity all over the Philippines so Filipinos anywhere can have access to the same opportunities and services,” said Globe Chief Transformation and Customer Experience Officer Rebecca Eclipse.

In the first quarter of 2023, Globe deployed 66 new 5G sites in 74 cities and towns across the country, expanding its 5G outdoor coverage to 97.21% of the National Capital Region and 90.28% of key cities in Visayas and Mindanao. Globe also logged 4.3 million devices in its 5G network as of March 2023.

Advertisement

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

Continue Reading

Globe

Globe donates 100 Home Prepaid WiFi units to DepEd

Published

on

Reliable and high-speed connectivity has become an essential component of effective education in today’s digital age as students and teachers need access to the internet to engage in various online learning activities and resources.

But many schools in underserved areas still struggle with connectivity issues. To address this challenge, Globe is supporting the Department of Education’s (DepEd) MATATAG Agenda, which aims to improve the delivery of basic education facilities and services in far-flung places in the country.

The company recently donated 100 Home Prepaid WiFi units to DepEd, which have been distributed to various schools in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Region 1. Globe Home Prepaid WIFi offers budget-friendly yet fast and reliable internet access.

By bringing technology and the internet closer to teachers and students, Globe is helping facilitate better and more efficient learning. High-speed internet connectivity allows teachers and students to access digital textbooks and multimedia learning resources, as well as engage in collaborative online activities.

 Globe donates 100 Home Prepaid WiFi units to DepEd

This provides students with a more comprehensive and meaningful education and supports the development of critical digital literacy skills that are necessary for success in the 21st century.

Advertisement

“Globe hopes to contribute to the achievement of the MATATAG Agenda and make a positive impact on the lives of students and teachers in CAR and Region 1. Globe is committed to continuing its efforts to improve internet connectivity in schools across the Philippines and provide quality education for all,” said Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer Yoly Crisanto.

The MATATAG Agenda has four critical components, including making the curriculum relevant to produce competent and job-ready citizens, accelerating the delivery of basic education facilities and services, giving support to teachers to teach better, and strengthening partnerships and collaborations of the education sector with other sectors.

This is aligned with Globe’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG No. 4 which advocates for equitable access to quality education and tools for digital upskilling.

Globe’s involvement in the DepEd program shows its dedication to ensuring that every student has an equal chance to succeed, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographical location. Through its efforts to enhance internet connectivity in schools, Globe helps create more opportunities for students to access quality education and develop critical digital literacy skills.

To learn more about Globe, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement Enter ad code here

Title

Honor6 hours ago

HONOR Magic5 Pro Philippines Release

Experience the power of Magic! HONOR just teased the release of HONOR Magic5 Pro in the Philippines on June 8,...

Globe8 hours ago

Globe earns recognition as Climate Leader in Asia-Pacific for second year in a row

For two consecutive years, leading digital solutions platform Globe has been recognized as one of Asia Pacific’s Climate Leaders. The...

KonsultaMD9 hours ago

KonsultaMD SuperApp launch #IWantToBeHere

KonsultaMD and ColorFest Manila’s highly-successful #IWantToBeHere ColorFest Run served as the perfect platform for the official launch of the revolutionary...

Globe9 hours ago

Globe leads 5G speeds in key Mindanao cities

Globe dominated major areas in Mindanao in terms of 5G speeds for the first quarter of the year, as it...

Globe10 hours ago

Globe donates 100 Home Prepaid WiFi units to DepEd

Reliable and high-speed connectivity has become an essential component of effective education in today’s digital age as students and teachers...

Globe10 hours ago

Globe builds 220 new towers

Leading digital solutions platform Globe reiterates its continued commitment to delivering reliable and high-quality connectivity services to Filipinos. It has...

ASUS4 days ago

ASUS 2023 11-inch Chromebook Series

The ASUS Chromebook CR1 and Flip CR1 present a full-feature ChromeOS for Education, while offering a 11.6″ display, tough chassis,...

GCash4 days ago

AI Opportunities for Women

The field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents many opportunities for women. This was the key message emphasized by Connected Women,...

Trending