Globe’s capital expenditure program, focused mainly on data expansion, has equipped its network to handle the surge in demand for digital services. The company is future-proofing its systems as customers are expected to make more use of streaming and other data-intensive products in the coming years.

A 2022 Global Media Outlook Report by UK-based international research data and analytics group YouGov found that even in a post-pandemic scenario, video streaming services are “likely to register the biggest growth in consumption this year with a Growth Driver score of 36%.”

“In the coming year, as “work from home” routines and entertainment habits linger, on-demand streaming services and social media platforms are set to continue to keep consumers hooked,” the report added.

In anticipation of the market’s changing behaviors and needs, Globe allocated the bulk of its unprecedented P92.8 billion capital expenditure program last year for data network upgrades. The company had earlier forecast that the surge in data demand brought about by the pandemic would not slow down even as quarantine restrictions are lifted.

Globe’s accelerated expansion included the construction of more than 1,400 new cell sites in 2021, the upgrade of over 22,000 mobile sites, and the rollout of 1.4 million fiber-to-the-home lines over the past year. To add to these, the company fired up more than 2,000 5G outdoor sites and in-building solutions.

“Our efforts are focused on continuously upgrading our network, and ensuring that we constantly improve customer experience despite the growing demand,” said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu. 

“Even with lifestyle shifts that have seen customers rely on data for almost all of their everyday functions due to the pandemic, our network upgrades have been up to the task as shown by higher average speeds and consistency scores,” Cu added.

According to Ookla®’s Q4 2021 data, Globe registered a 51% improvement on download speeds and 24% on upload speeds versus its Q1 2021 performance.

Globe’s consistency score also steadily grew last year, demonstrating significant increases from 70.43 in Q1 2021 to 79.02 in Q4 2021, at par with global benchmarks^.[1]

On Speed Score™, Globe had a noteworthy boost from 22.95 in Q1 2021 to 32.67 in Q4 2021. Globe has successfully exhibited regular improvements on both consistency and Speed Scores ™ quarter-on-quarter^.[2]

Globe also recently won the Best 5G Video Experience Award in the Philippines from Ookla®. The video awards were launched by the global network intelligence and connectivity insights firm early this year, based on local mobile networks' performance in the third and fourth quarters of 2021^.[3]

“Increase in the use of data will be a given, even as the pandemic wanes. This drives  us to continue to invest in our network, and to leverage as well on the diversity of our services in order to help customers live a fuller life,” said Cu. 

The company has committed P89 billion in capital expenditures this year to continue its aggressive site builds, upgrade of sites to 4G/LTE, speeding up its 5G rollout, and faster fiberization across the country.  

Globe supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9, which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development, and UN SDG No. 13, which seeks urgent action against climate change and its impacts. Globe is committed to upholding the United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.

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

About Globe

Globe is a leading full-service telecommunications company in the Philippines and publicly listed in the PSE with the stock symbol GLO. The company serves the telecommunications and technology needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connectivity, internet and managed services. It has major interests in financial technology, digital marketing solutions, venture capital funding for startups, and virtual healthcare. In 2019, Globe became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, committing to implement universal sustainability principles. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel, acknowledged industry leaders in the country and in the region.

About YouGov

YouGov is an international online research data and analytics technology group. Our mission is to offer unparalleled insight into what the world thinks. Our innovative solutions help the world's most recognised brands, media owners and agencies to plan, activate and track their marketing activities better. With operations in the UK, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, India and Asia Pacific, we have one of the world's largest research networks. At the core of our platform is an ever-growing source of consumer data that has been amassed over our twenty years of operation. We call it Living Data. All of our products and services draw upon this detailed understanding of our 20 million registered panel members to deliver accurate, actionable consumer insights. As innovators and pioneers of online market research, we have a strong reputation as a trusted source of accurate data and insights. Testament to this, YouGov data is regularly referenced by the global press, and we are the second most quoted market research source in the world. YouGov. Living Consumer Intelligence.

For further information, visit www.business.yougov.com. 

^[1] Disclaimer: Consistency Score: Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data on consistency score in the Philippines for Q1 2022. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission.

^[2] Speed: Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data on median download & upload speeds, Speed Score™ in the Philippines for Q1 2021 and Q4 2021. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission.

^[3] Video Score: Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data Q3–Q4 2021. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission.