Globe has pledged to support the Philippines’s efforts in promoting digital inclusivity by advocating for a collaborative, industry-wide approach to expand infrastructure in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).
Carlo Puno, Globe's Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk Officer, emphasized the importance of cooperation among telecommunication companies, government agencies, and tower operators to efficiently utilize existing resources in extending telecom services to underserved communities.
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Puno mentioned during a recent media briefing that the expansion should leverage the current infrastructure of different players, possibly utilizing the presence of tower companies in specific areas to avoid duplicating efforts among mobile network operators. Globe currently operates over 600 sites in GIDA areas.
The Connectivity Plan Task Force (CPTF), led by Ernest Cu, Globe's President and CEO, proposed the construction of new towers in remote regions through a partnership between the public and private sectors. This initiative aligns with the government's goal to bring connectivity to remote areas, as there are more than 7,000 barangays in the Philippines classified as GIDAs, with approximately 25 million residents lacking access to essential connectivity.
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Telecommunication companies have also committed to providing SIM cards with data plans to disconnected households with government support from this year until 2028. By working together, Globe and other industry players aim to help achieve the government's Digital Philippines vision and ensure that every Filipino, regardless of their location, can benefit from the opportunities provided by digital connectivity.
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