Globe's $700M first-phase network upgrade done

Globe Telecom has completed the US$700 million first phase of its network upgrade, which is part of the telco's US$790 million modernization program to provide improved mobile and Internet services, in anticipation of growing user demand for data.

BusinessWorld's report Monday cited Emmanuel R. Estrada, head of network strategy for Globe Network Technology Group, as saying: "The first phase of the modernization is practically done. We have immediately moved to the next phase of optimizing our new equipment for maximum performance. This concludes the modernization of our access network."

The second phase of the network upgrade focuses on customer service and experience, Estrada said. "In parallel, we are aggressively transforming our transport and core network elements to yield the best possible customer experience. Like all systems, a network is only as strong as all its elements combined and working harmoniously."

The transport network refers to facilities that relay signals from the cell sites of an access network. Signals then move to the core network to be processed for functions such as subscriptions and billing, the company said.

Globe Telecom began its US$790 million modernization program in 2012 to improve its network and IT infrastructure that will bring better mobile service quality and coverage and faster Internet connections. Globe president and CEO Ernest L. Cu said at the time the company will build an entirely new network by replacing all old equipment to ensure it can cope with the demands of users.

Competition in the Philippines telecommunications industry is heating up as customer demand for data services is increasing, BusinessWorld reported. Last July, Globe's rival, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), finished its two-year 67.1 billion pesos (US$1.6 billion) network upgrading, which doubled its network capacity.