In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

Globe eyes launch of 5G technology by June

By Aerol John Pateña

May 6, 2019, 8:54 pm

MANILA -- The management of Globe Telecom expressed determination to deploy fifth generation (5G) technology in the country by June.

This, as Globe is currently conducting its trial runs of the technology in areas outside Metro Manila, according to Chief Commercial Officer Alberto de Larrazabal.

“We are starting the experiments. We should have the commercial launch starting June. The speed by which we are going to be expanding that is something that we still need to confirm based on the results of trials as well as the used cases,” Larrazabal told reporters on the sidelines of the briefing on Globe’s financial results for the first quarter of 2019 on Monday.

The company official said the 5G technology will be initially available to its Home subscribers and will not yet include mobile devices.

Globe projects that the 5G technology will have speeds as fast as 1 gigabit per second based on its earlier tests.

The wireless service provider earlier said that it targets to roll out the 5G technology within the second quarter of this year.

The technology will enable its subscribers to experience mobile services at higher speeds while enterprises will be able to improve their operations.

Globe has partnered with Huawei Technologies for the planning and design of a mobile broadband network as well as the establishment of a mobile innovation center for research and development of the 5G technology.

Meantime, PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications has already activated its first 5G cell sites in Makati City and Clark, Pampanga last November through its partnership with technology providers Huawei and Ericsson.

It has also signed an agreement last March with Nokia for the deployment of 5G in schools across the country.

PLDT is aiming for the commercial rollout of its 5G services within the second half of 2019 to 2020. (PNA)

Comments