Close to a million Filipinos are using 5G devices, over 860,000 as of July 2021, which Globe Telecom Inc. expects sustained 5G double-digit growth in the next few years.
To increase the Philippines' competitiveness in the region, more consumers should adopt 5G technology.
Hence, the telco is focusing on expanding 5G adoption.
“5G connectivity is the great equalizer since it will make businesses, big and small, more efficient," according to Issa Guevarra-Cabreira, Globe Chief Commercial Officer.
"We need to accelerate 5G adoption and use in the country so we can catch up and compete with our regional peers,” she underscored.
Already, Asia-Pacific countries lead the way in 5G adoption and use, according to the YouGov report titled International Telco Report 2021.
Globally, 61 countries — the Philippines included, now have access to commercial 5G.
But surprisingly, more developed countries have less 5G-enabled devices, with France (16%), Germany (17%), Australia (25%), and the United States (26%) lagging behind Asian countries.
Overall, China leads the way with 55% of consumers owning a 5G-enabled device followed by the United Arab Emirates (48%), Hong Kong (34%), Indonesia (33%) India (32%), and Singapore (26%).
Out of a total global population of 7.8 billion, some 6.1 billion have smartphone subscriptions, making the mobile phone the world’s primary computing platform.
With speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G, 5G technology offers the fastest connectivity and download speeds, ultra-low latency, greater bandwidth, superior network reliability, and ability to connect to more devices.
5G technology’s improved performance and enhanced efficiency empower new user experiences and capabilities. It enables frontier technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Edge Computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Industrial IoT, immersive learning, among many others.
5G is also expected to positively impact many sectors including manufacturing, transportation, logistics, healthcare, agriculture, and education.
Globe aims to enable all these innovations as it expands its 5G network.
To date, the company has over 1,800 5G locations in the country covering major cities and population centers namely the National Capital Region, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Boracay, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and General Santos.
Zamboanga will soon be covered with 5G cell sites.
More Globe 5G sites will continuously go onstream in the coming months and years.
“We are beginning to see the full potential of 5G technology and its impact in our everyday lives. More of our customers are seeing the benefits of 5G and are upgrading their SIM cards and handsets," Guevarra-Cabreira observed.