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As the demand for mobile data grows and daily activities shift online, Globe’s wide-reaching 4G LTE network has helped to facilitate better connectivity, business continuity, and enhanced productivity nationwide.   Globe has ramped up its network upgrades with the objective of establishing 4G LTE as the Philippine standard for mobile internet. “Now more than ever, access to the internet is crucial for all Filipinos. We all deserve higher speeds and better connectivity, and this is why Globe has built up 4G LTE as the basic mobile internet technology that ensures a better data experience for everyone,” said Joel Agustin, Globe Senior Vice President for Program Delivery, Network Technical Group. Agustin added that 4G and 5G are designed and better suited for internet use -- from video streaming and browsing to various digital applications.  “Customers who still use 3G for mobile data are therefore encouraged to shift to 4G in order to see and feel the difference.” 4G is the fourth generation of wireless mobile telecommunications technology. It was launched in the late 2000s and produces much faster speeds than 3G. 4G is able to support video streaming and video conferencing of better quality. LTE, or Long Term Evolution, is a type of 4G.  Globe’s aggressive network expansion, which included the upgrading of 11,544 sites to 4G LTE, has significantly improved the Philippines’ 4G experience even during peak hours. This was evident in a report of international mobile analytics firm Opensignal covering August to October 2020, which showed the Globe network’s significant improvements in 4G Download Speeds, 4G Latency Experience, and 4G Video Experience.  In terms of 4G Download Speeds, Opensignal found that Globe peaks at over 19 Mbps with average 4G Download Speeds observed by users over the course of the day being more than sufficient for web browsing and apps usage. For Latency Experience, Globe is likewise inching closer to competition with its best score peaking at a low of 36ms (lower score is better) within the day. According to the report, Latency “is a measure of the time it takes for data packets to travel across the network between a user’s mobile phone and the servers that host mobile apps and websites.”  Globe’s 4G Video Experience is likewise pulling up consistently with a maximum score of 50. 4G Video Experience measures network quality for streaming HD or SD videos on platforms like Youtube and other video-on-demand apps. Globe is furthermore upgrading several cities in Visayas and Mindanao to 4G LTE technology. The company will replace its old 3G equipment with 5G-ready 4G LTE infrastructure in Iloilo City, Boracay, Bacolod City, Davao City, Cebu City, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu in Visayas; and in Davao City and Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao.  This is in addition to the already upgraded networks in 199 cities and towns in Metro Manila, Rizal, Quezon, Albay, Oriental Mindoro, Bataan, Leyte, Agusan del Sur, and Pampanga among others.  The company has also expanded the reach of its 5G network to 1,045 sites nationwide. Its recent upgrades towards the end of 2020 have made the latest wireless internet technology, capable of even faster speeds and higher bandwidth, available in at least 848 sites in Metro Manila and Rizal, and 183 locations in Visayas and Mindanao. Several parts of Cavite, Laguna, and Bulacan are also 5G-enabled. With the proliferation of more affordable 5G-enabled devices, Globe is encouraging its  customers, especially those using the old 3G SIM cards to upgrade to 5G-ready 4G LTE SIM cards and 5G-enabled mobile devices so they may fully enjoy and experience the wonderful benefits and advantages of 5G.    SIM change is free at any Globe Stores and customers will retain their old number. For security reasons, customers are advised to upgrade their SIM at the Globe Store only.  For more information, please go to:  https://www.globe.com.ph/help/mobile-internet/lte/faqs.html Customers who wish to upgrade their mobile devices can also check online at https://shop.globe.com.ph/devices/5g-mobile-phones   for  the most affordable 4G/LTE and 5G devices available. Globe is carrying out a three-pronged strategy for network upgrades and expansion, which includes aggressive cell site builds; upgrading its cell sites to 4G/LTE using many different frequencies; and fast-tracking the fiberization of Filipino homes nationwide. The company likewise supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically UNSDG No. 9 which recognizes the importance of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe has vowed to uphold the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs. For more information, visit www.globe.com.ph. *Analysis in Opensignal insight “ Globe and Smart’s networks withstand daily surges in demand ", published in December 2020 © 2021 Opensignal Limited