Globe Telecom (Globe) is ramping up the rollout of 5G sites in areas not reached by fixed internet or broadband in the Philippines.
In the first quarter of 2022, Globe has fired up 380 new 5G sites to augment outdoor and in-building solutions in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Bulacan, Davao, Cebu, Misamis Oriental, and Iloilo. Currently, Globe’s 5G network covers 95% of the National Capital Region’s (NCR) population and 84% in Visayas and Mindanao. The telco giant is also doubling its efforts to roll out more 5G cell sites and in-building solutions this year to reach more areas.
“One of the ways we’ve used 5G is for areas where it’s a bit more challenging to deploy fixed internet or broadband. We need to do it through 5G instead. That way, we are able to deliver things like better video streaming and gaming experiences,” says Rina Azcuna-Siongco, Head of Get Entertained Tribe at Globe during the OTT (Over the Top) Summit 2022.
“Here in the Philippines, as lockdown restrictions start to ease up, we see that people have really come to the habit of consuming content already, but now they’ll be consuming it on the go since they can spend more time outside the home now,” Siongco adds.
Video streaming peaked in the past two years as it became a form of entertainment for Filipinos stuck at home and requires low latency and high bandwidth to be enjoyed more which can be delivered through 5G connectivity. “Short-form video has become popular. I think that is going to continue. The attention span of Gen Zs and Millennials is much shorter compared to Gen X, so they gravitate towards short-form content,” Siongco pointed out.
Video was also valuable for Filipino entrepreneurs who turned to the internet for livelihood opportunities at the height of the pandemic. Siongco noted that because of e-commerce, video for livelihood has become very popular and has helped many MSMEs move their goods and services.
