Globe Telecom partners with Huawei anew

MANILA, Philippines - Ayala-led Globe Telecom, Inc. has entered into a five-year partnership with Huawei Technologies to enhance the telco’s mobile network for improved Internet service.

The telco firm said the deal was signed by Globe president and chief executive officer Ernest Cu and Eric Xu, Huawei chief executive officer and vice chairman on Nov. 23.

The partnership will involve planning and coming up with a design of a mobile broadband network utilizing the latest state of the art technology trends.

The deal also covers the creation of a mobile innovation center to be able to offer products and solutions that would ensure Globe maintains its competitive edge and leadership in the industry.

The tie-up with Huawei will likewise involve capacity expansion of both Globe’s 3G and 4G network, as well as upgrade of the mobile operator’s  LTE network through deployment of LTE CA (carrier aggregation) technology for a more pervasive reach of the cutting edge mobile data technology.

Also covered by the project are the development of greenfield sites, deployment of small cell technology, extensive indoor coverage expansion program, core network upgrade and expansion of the company’s fiber footprint.

 “Globe is committed in investing in and developing its mobile broadband network, understanding the needs of a growing chunk of our customers for high-speed data connectivity on their mobile devices as they continue to build their lives around a digital lifestyle,” Cu said.

Globe has earlier worked with Huawei with the deployment of the SingleSON (self-organizing network) solution, empowering the telco to effectively manage the explosive growth and development of mobile data services traffic.

The telco has also tapped Huawei for its $700 million network modernization program which started in 2011 and was completed last year to create the most advanced network infrastructure in the country.

While Globe is working to address the growing data traffic and smartphone use in the country, the company is of the view there is a need to reallocate the 700 megahertz (Mhz) frequency.

The 700 Mhz band is considered the key to address the mobile data explosion since it allows signals to easily go through buildings and walls and covers larger areas with less infrastructure and investments needed as compared to frequencies in higher bands.

San Miguel Corp. currently holds 90 Mhz of the total 100 Mhz on the 700 Mhz band through wi-Tribe Telecoms, Inc.’s 80 Mhz and High Frequency Telecommunications Inc.’s 10 Mhz. The remaining 10 Mhz is held by New Century Telecommunications.