Globe Group calls for improved policy to address PH digital infrastructure gaps

The Globe Group has echoed calls for the government to implement policy changes that would bring about more investments in the country’s digital infrastructure, citing digital platforms and services as a key driver of economic growth.

While the Globe Group has been implementing intensive network builds in support of the country’s recovery from the pandemic, the leading digital solutions platform also expressed support for the push to remove persistent bureaucratic roadblocks to tech-driven development.

“We know that economic recovery is foremost in the minds of government and private sector alike, and this can be fast-tracked through connectivity and the widespread availability of first-world internet services,” said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu.

Among policy impediments to pursue digitalization is lacking legislation requiring property developers to allocate space for telco and other ICT infrastructure in their developments. House and Senate bills pushing for this failed to pass in the last Congress, but the measure is expected to be resurrected with the start of the new session.

The proposal aims to address challenges that telcos confront in deploying cellular and broadband fiber connectivity facilities in residential areas.

Globe is also pushing for the revision of the implementing rules and regulations of the EPIRA law to lower the threshold on energy use so businesses may avail of options in energy sources, among them renewables. This will allow businesses, from large corporations to MSMEs, to use renewable energy for smaller infrastructure, including those consuming between 10 and 99 kWh.

Amid a fresh push for the SIM Card Registration law, meanwhile, Globe is also hoping for the speedy rollout of the National ID system to ensure SIM registration is backed by expansive availability of legitimate IDs to enable proper counter checks.

Cu, meanwhile, reiterated Globe’s support for the new administration’s digitalization goals, saying this would ultimately streamline and improve public service.

“We continue to enhance our digital solutions platform in support of the new administration’s digitalization goals. The Globe Group offers an incomparable suite of services in the digital space, from fintech and healthtech to edutech, adtech and many more, which address Filipinos’ digitalization needs,” said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu.

Globe also hopes that the government’s recent rationalization of its permitting process for cell site construction is just one of many substantive reforms crucial to businesses. The simplified permitting procedure has enabled the company to fast-track its network buildup in response to greater connectivity demand during the pandemic.

Globe’s continuous network expansion is being done as part of its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which emphasize the importance of innovation and infrastructure to enable economic growth and development.

In the first quarter of the year, Globe built 234 more cell sites, upgraded over 3,500 mobile sites, and installed 380 new 5G sites, leading to an increase in ultra fast 5G mobile connectivity in more areas nationwide.

As part of its planned P89 billion CAPEX in 2022, Globe targets building a total of 1,700 new cell sites this year to reach even more customers. To date, Globe has a customer base of 92.1 million covering mobile, home broadband and wireline voice.

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