Globe secures over 700 permits to build cell sites

Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. has secured a total of 715 permits from various local government units (LGUs) all over the country to accelerate its network rollout in a bid to improve its voice and data services.

In a statement, Globe said it continues to reap the benefits of more LGUs complying with the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 01 series of 2020 signed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Interior and Local Government, Anti-Red Tape Authority and other government agencies that has resulted in faster issuance of telco permits.

After securing 411 permits in August, the telco said it has managed to gain 252 more in September to bring its total to 631 building permits. 

In addition to the building permits, Globe said it has also secured 84 Certificates of Final Electrical Inspection (CFEI) permits in the last eight weeks. 

The CFEI permit is important in tower builds because it is a requirement in applying for a permanent power source to fire up the cell sites or cell towers.

It has been the most number of permits given by LGUs to Globe in a span of two months, according to the telco.

“These permits complement our aggressive builds and roll outs as we not only increase our capacity and capability but more importantly, we make connectivity possible and accessible in areas that don't have any access to the internet before,”  Joel Agustin, Globe senior vice president for Program Delivery, Network Technical Group, said.

Agustin added that Cavite, Bulacan, Batangas, Rizal and Pangasinan are among the top five provinces which had issued the most number of building permits. 

The go signal to build cell towers were also secured in Agusan Del Norte, Zamboanga Del Norte, Zamboanga Del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Maguindanao, Antique, Laguna, Palawan, Oriental Mindoro, Tarlac, South Cotabato, Isabela and La Union to mention a few of the 47 provinces and cities which had released the permits.

Aside from building permits, Globe said it was also able to gain favorable response in Cebu, Quezon City, Makati, Davao Del Sur, Cavite, Kalinga Apayao, Romblon, Sorsogon, Sultan Kudarat and Mandaluyong and 38 other provinces and cities regarding its network rollouts. 

Globe has laid out a three-pronged strategy for its network upgrades and expansion, which includes aggressive cell site builds; upgrading its cell sites to 4G/LTE using many different frequencies; and fast tracking the fiberization of Filipino homes nationwide. —Ted Cordero/KG, GMA News