New data shows more users migrating to 5G in the Philippines

Manila City
(Image credit: AGDProductions from Pixabay)

The largest mobile network operator in the Philippines, Globe, has announced that its sustained efforts to make 5G technology available and accessible in the Philippines has resulted in more customers on 5G phones, according to the last two months of data available, which covers April and May.

Based on the company’s latest data, there were 560,000+ customers on 5G devices last March. In April, the number went up to 620,000+ or a 10.7 percent increase and 700,000+ or a 12.9 percent surge by the end of May.  There was an average of 11.8 percent increase in device count in the last two months.

“Affordable 5G-capable mobile devices has also made it possible for more people to use the technology.”

Joel Agustin, Globe.

“We are expecting the rise in numbers as we make the 5G technology more pervasive in key locations not only in Metro Manila but in highly-urbanised cities in Visayas and Mindanao. The entry of affordable 5G-capable mobile devices has also made it possible for more people to use the technology. We will make our 5G presence more felt in Visayas and Mindanao in the coming months,” said Joel Agustin, Globe SVP for Program Delivery, Network Technical Group.

5G outdoor coverage

Globe now has 5G outdoor coverage in at least 88 percent of the National Capital Region with Bonifacio Global City Central Business District (CBD) and Ortigas CBD having the highest coverage with a similar 97 percent. Makati CBD is third with 96 percent coverage while Pateros is fourth with 92 percent coverage. Globe’s 5G network is also active in at least 82 percent or more in 13 cities in Metro Manila.

The Telecom company has 5G accessible in 81 percent of Cebu City; 68 percent of Boracay Island; 67 percent of Bacolod City and 53 percent of Iloilo City. In Mindanao, 5G is now accessible in 73 percent of Davao City and 72 percent of Cagayan De Oro City. Six additional 5G cell towers are also being installed in General Santos.

141 Mbps15G download speed

Globe expects a faster rollout of fifth-generation technology in the Philippines and is rolling out aggressive network builds. Network modernisation to 4G LTE and 5G, with SIM and device offers nationwide has resulted in improved services to its customers nationwide. Indeed, according to the ‘Benchmarking the 5G Experience-Asia Pacific June 2021’ report by Opensignal, the Philippines’ 5G download speed is now at 141 Mbps1, which is among the fastest in the Asia Pacific. 

This download speed is even faster than Hong Kong's 134.8 Mbps and Thailand's 122.5 Mbps.  Moreover, the country can go as fast as up to 426.2 Mbps as its peak download speed, also higher than Thailand and Hong Kong.  Compared to 4G, PH registers an improvement of about 10.4 times in terms of download speed on 5G. 

“Crucial drivers of economic growth and development.”

Globe.

In a statement Globe said that the company “strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) particularly UN SDG No. 9 that highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development.”

Rachael Sharpe

Rachael is a British journalist with 17 years experience in the publishing industry. Since launching www.digitalcameraworld.com, she’s been freelancing, and working for some of the world’s best-loved websites and magazines including T3.com and TechRadar.com and has also had a book, iPad for Photographers, published. A regular contributor at 5Gradar, Rachael is following the 5G market closely. Find out more at www.rachaelsharpe.com