Despite the pandemic, Globe Telecom Inc. has upgraded 26.4 percent more cell sites this year versus 2019, totaling 7,780, exceeding its forecast as it moves into the last quarter.

The cell sites are now 4th generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE), with faster connectivity.

Globe also installed 593 new towers since January this year, more than what the telco built for the same period in 2019.

In terms of bringing connectivity to challenged areas, the company installed more cell sites in parts of Davao Oriental, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, Bukidnon, South Cotabato, Maguindanao, Davao Oriental, Isabela. Ilocos Sur, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Southern Leyte, Capiz, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Metro Manila, and Rizal with no or weak signal.

Effectively, this expands the coverage of Globe to more locations nationwide.

Overall, the telco picked up the pace of the builds much faster than 2019 despite the pandemic.

'We have regarded the various community lockdowns, not as concerns but challenges to deliver more and make the best of the opportunities given to us,” maintained Joel Agustin, Globe Senior Vice President for Program Delivery, Network Technical Group.

“We are committed to fulfill our network upgrades and expansion program," he added.

Already, the government has waived most requirements for building permits to be able to fastrack the construction of needed telco infrastructure.

So far, Globe has completed sites in Rizal and Quezon City, while the majority of network upgrades were done in Bulacan and Cavite.

Current site installations and site upgrades are also ongoing in other parts of the country, including in areas where the company is targeting to increase its presence.

By prioritizing its network upgrades and expansion, Globe has laid out a three-part strategy that includes aggressive cell site builds, upgrading all its sites to have 4G/LTE using different frequencies and fast-tracking the fiberization of Filipino homes nationwide.