Ayala-led telecommunications provider Globe Telecom Inc. aims to capture a larger share in the broadband market in the near term, as demand for higher data capacity rises and the threat from new players becomes more apparent.

Carl Cruz, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Globe, said the company is planning to seize the second spot in the broadband space within the next three to five years.

“We need to be in a stronger position, hopefully we'll get to second sooner rather than later,” he told reporters last week.

According to the September report by global analytics firm Opensignal, Globe ranks third in broadband, with a market share of nearly 20 percent, offering both wired and fixed wireless access.

Globe is attempting to seize the second spot currently held by Uy-led Converge ICT Solutions Inc., which controls around 30 percent of the market.

Converge’s fiber-to-the-home footprint has nearly tripled since 2020, from six million homes to more than 16 million this year.

Pangilinan-led PLDT Inc. is the market leader, holding a 42 percent share. It holds the largest fiber footprint in the country at 18.5 million homes.

Cruz said Globe is looking to strengthen its broadband infrastructure to replicate the success it has achieved in the mobile market.

Mobile services account for 72 percent of Globe’s revenues, while broadband is only 14 percent. In the first nine months, the mobile business reached ₱86.2 billion, and broadband stood at ₱17.8 billion.

Cruz said that once the company assumes the second spot, it will work towards upending PLDT’s dominance.

Hopefully, be a strong contender for leadership after some time. That is the intent,” he said.

Cruz, who was officially named as president and CEO of Globe in April, earlier cited that growth in businesses dominated by PLDT, such as broadband, will help Globe catapult toward its goal of becoming the most profitable telco in the country.

Strengthening its broadband network also positions Globe to be a strong player in terms of data capacity, especially as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow.

Cruz noted that nearly half of Filipinos are now using AI, with the country ranking sixth in terms of usage of the generative AI platform ChatGPT.

“And with AI, the demand on the network for capacity—because traffic will really go up—will be massive. And this is where you need a bit more of a fixed line to carry the traffic,” he said.

Becoming the dominant player in the broadband market could also cushion Globe from the entry of new players in the industry following the issuance of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Konektadong Pinoy Act.

The law, which has drawn scrutiny from the country’s leading telecommunications companies, aims to enhance internet connectivity by promoting competition in the industry through streamlined processes, ultimately leading to lower prices and improved services.

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda recently stated that seven foreign companies have already expressed their intention to enter the Philippine market as early as next year.

Despite this, Cruz said Globe will likely keep its capital expenditure (capex) below $1 billion for 2026.

But, he noted that shareholders would be willing to increase the capex “if there's a need to actually increase.”

“We have invested in the Philippines, we are heavily invested and we will continue to invest,” he added.

From January to June, Globe's net income decreased 14 percent to ₱17.7 billion, compared to ₱20.6 billion in the same period last year.