MANILA, Philippines — Globe Telecom is expanding its fiber broadband services across the country in a bid to close the digital divide and empower more Filipino households and small businesses to fully participate in the digital economy.
Tapping into existing network capacity and customer data insights, Globe is rolling out its GFiber portfolio, which includes both postpaid and reloadable prepaid options, to improve internet accessibility in high-need and underserved communities.
“Fixed broadband continues to be a growth engine for the business,” said Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz. “We are fine-tuning our fiber strategy to go beyond connectivity—it’s about empowering households, enabling SMEs, and growing the digital economy.”
As of the first quarter of 2025, Globe reported 1.83 million broadband subscribers, including 400,000 homes connected through GFiber Prepaid, which posted a 53% quarter-on-quarter growth. Cruz said the surge in usage reflects broader national trends: Filipinos now spend nearly nine hours online daily, according to the Digital 2025 Report, making reliable broadband a critical utility.
Yet, fixed broadband access remains uneven. Only 33% of households have wired internet connections as of 2024, according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology. Globe aims to address this gap by aligning its expansion with the government’s National Broadband Plan and initiatives for Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas.
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To date, the company has completed the migration to fiber in over 600 towns in at least 70 provinces, replacing copper lines with faster and more sustainable connections. The shift also supports Globe’s environmental agenda by reducing waste and discouraging illegal cable scavenging.
“Modernization has always been a key success factor for Globe,” Cruz said. “When we transitioned from 2G to 4G, we unlocked massive gains. Now we’re doing the same with fiber—not just for speed, but for equity and sustainability.”
Globe has invested P228 billion in capital expenditures and P236 billion in operational spending in the past three years to modernize its network. These investments, the company said, are intended to promote long-term economic resilience and national competitiveness.
“We are not just building faster networks, we’re building a more connected society,” Cruz said. “Fiber broadband is the backbone of digital life, and Globe is committed to expanding that backbone strategically and sustainably.”