The race is on for the widest 5G footprint in the country todate.
So far, Globe Telecom Inc. claims to have the widest 5G footprint in the Philippines as of January 2021, with 1,069 areas covered after its aggressive network builds and site upgrades.
On the other hand, competitor Smart Communications Inc.'s 5G service covers 689 areas, according to the latest data from their website.
As of last month, Globe's 5G coverage is present in 848 locations in Metro Manila and Rizal and in 221 areas in Visayas and Mindanao.
In Visayas, its 5G service is now accessible in several areas in Negros Occidental, Cebu, Iloilo and in Aklan.
The technology is likewise available in some areas in Misamis Oriental and Davao del Sur.
In South Luzon, Globe's 5G is already present in selected locations in Laguna and Bulacan.
"Getting the 5G service to more customers supports our vision of empowering Filipinos to create the quality of lives they want,” according to Ernest Cu, Globe’s President and CEO.
“We want our customers to unlock the many possibilities and potential that 5G technology brings," he noted.
For its part, Smart's 5G network covers 495 areas in Metro Manila, 93 areas in North luzon, 70 in South Luzon, 20 in Visayas and 11 in Mindanao.
Smart is ramping up the rollout of its 5G network across the country and partnering with device manufacturers to make 5G devices more accessible to its customers.
As the latest in wireless technology, 5G promises faster speeds, higher bandwidth, and more stable internet connection compared to 4G.
With more people on 5G, average internet speeds in the country will also improve, says Jane J. Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.
"Getting more people on 5G and 5G devices will also drive-up average internet speeds, and more Filipinos can improve their lives with fiber-like access on mobile," she concluded.