Lifestyle | The Philippines Improved Global Index on Internet Speed

The Speedtest Global Index of the Philippines has improved a bit. I have checked in the December 2020 tally (https://www.speedtest.net/global-index), the Philippines has climbed 14 steps and has claimed the 99th spot (99/139 countries) for the mobile data speed at 22.50mbps. On the other hand, the Philippines has improved 3 steps and has claimed the 100th spot (100/176 countries) for the fixed broadband speed at 31.44mbps. The Philippine is still continuing on its efforts for telecommunications infrastructure improvement among the concurrent telco players in the country such as Globe, and the coming of a new telco player brings hope for a faster internet speed in the coming future.

Here's a story from Globe:

Philippines improves by 13 spots in global speedtest ranking

 

The Philippines' average speeds continue to improve, registering increases in December 2020 and besting 13 more countries at this time, according to the Speedtest® Global Index by Ookla®, the global leader in internet testing and analysis.

 

In December, the country’s average mobile download speed was higher at 22.5 Mbps compared to 18.49 Mbps in November 2020, with an upload speed of 6.03 Mbps and latency of 33 ms.

 

Thanks to the government's efforts in easing restrictions on telecom builds, Globe has been rigorous in its improvements and network upgrades towards achieving a #FirstWorldNetwork. 

 

In terms of fixed broadband, Ookla® data shows that the Philippine average rose to 31.44 Mbps in December from 28.68 Mbps in November 2020*.

 

The global average for mobile in December was 47.20 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads, 12.67 Mbps for uploads, and latency of 36 milliseconds (ms). Latency is defined as the time it takes for data to get to its destination. A lower latency figure is favored.

 

In terms of the mobile network's service consistency, Ookla®'s quarterly data shows that Globe's overall Consistency Score in Q4 2020 improved to 60.82% from Q3’s 56.83%. Globe’s regional mobile Consistency Score™ also improved from the previous quarter in 16 out of 17 regions.  The company registered increases as high as 10 PPTs (percentage points), with Consistency Scores ranging from 39% and 65% in Q4 2020.

 

Mobile Consistency Score measures the number of incidences (viewed as a percentage) of a provider's samples equal or exceeds both a download threshold of 5 Mbps and an upload threshold of 1 Mbps.

 

The company strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9 which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.

 

For more information, visit www.globe.com.ph.

 

*Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data comparing Q3 2020 to Q4 2020. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission.

So, there you go, a promising improvement for the Philippines in the coming months. It is now digital age that should be harnessed by many to have more efficient service now and in the future. Keep it up, Philippines! A lot more to conquer to achieve a first world internet speed!

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Digital Lifestyle | Globe Telecom Network Improvement Creates Better Services on Holidays

Globe Telecom has taken a big leap when they have taken the challenge posed by the government of improving services before the year ends, which is also the same with other competitor networks. There has been significant improvement from the network like in my experience, my 3G signal to 4G. There has been an interesting roll out of 5G technology already and Davao City in Mindanao is one of the first to experience it.

With the development that Globe has been doing in the recent months and its increased number of towers put all around the country, the network is with high confidence of making this year a #FirstWorldNetwork. Here's the story of the holiday's service traffic:

Globe keeps family traditions alive on network service enhancements; gears up for robust #FirstWorldNetwork in 2021!

 

Globe’s vigorous network builds and expansion initiatives paved the way for valued family traditions to continue during the holiday season despite the pandemic which curbed face-to-face interactions.

 

Virtual get-togethers, online masses, concerts, distance learning, popular online sale events like 12.12 among others, were supported by Globe’s improved network infrastructure. Based on the company's internal data, internet traffic steadily increased from November until the end of the year with a significant spike on customers’ usage during Christmas Day and New Year’s Day especially on Facebook Live and Video.

 

Globe monitored mobile internet traffic and noted spikes during Christmas Day and New Year’s Day by at least 12% as compared to customers’ usage in the previous month. 

 

For the rest of 2020, popular virtual interactive apps like Zoom and Skype were  consistently being used during weekdays, slightly dropping on weekends suggesting that more customers use these apps for work from home and distance learning or online class requirements.

  

Globe's network infrastructure got a long-needed boost through the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, and the Joint Memorandum Circular 01 of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), DILG and other concerned agencies. The enabling laws effectively shortened the permitting process allowing  Globe to build 1,300 new cell sites this year and upgraded 11,529 sites to 4G/LTE,  resulting in faster, unimpeded connections.

 

Areas needing connectivity the most were being addressed with new site builds including Lanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, Antique, Iloilo, Leyte, Palawan, Aklan, Maguindanao, Cotabato, Misamis Oriental, and Davao de Oro.  On the other hand, site upgrades are being done extensively across all areas where Globe has existing network coverage.  The rigorous site upgrades are paving the way for 4G LTE to be the new standard of mobile internet connectivity.

 

Globe also built 600,000 broadband lines in 2020, a 55% improvement from 2019 helping customers adjust to the new normal of work-from-home and online learning.

 

The 5th generation mobile network or 5G now covers 80% of urban Metro Manila. It is also available in 17 key cities nationwide through 1,031 sites.

 

“As we go forward and upwards, Globe is committed to advance and improve its network infrastructure. While the new sites will need time to be built and fired up, the recent unimpeded permitting process has proven to be the much-needed catalyst for the telco industry.  Improving the country's state of connectivity and internet speed is a continuing effort that requires both public and private sector support,” said Globe’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Ernest Cu.

 

These improvements in call, text and data services have resulted in positive customer feedback and confirmed by international third party analytical firms Ookla® and Opensignal.

 

Ookla®, the global leader in internet testing and analysis, said Globe has the “most consistent 4G network” in 13 out of 17 regions based on its Q3 2020 data. In terms of scores, Ookla®’s quarterly data showed that in terms of mobile Consistency Score™, Globe’s Consistency Score in the Philippines improved to 56.83% in Q3 2020 from 48.56% in Q2 2020*. Regional Consistency Score likewise improved across all Philippine regions, registering increases as high as 13.4 PPTs (percentage points), with scores ranging from 31% and 62% in Q3 2020, including high density and typhoon-prone areas like Central Luzon, Bicol, and Eastern Visayas. The area with the highest consistency score based on "All Technology" is Metro Manila at 61.68%

 

Mobile Consistency Score™ measures the number of incidences (viewed as a percentage) of a provider's samples equal or exceeds both a download threshold of 5 Mbps and an upload threshold of 1 Mbps. 

 

#FirstWorldNetwork in 2021

 

With the new year upon us, Globe is committed to provide customers with better data and faster internet speed whenever they need it, wherever they are.

 

Globe is ramping up investments, targeting more than 2.5x the number of fiber to homes in 2020.  

 

For mobile, the telco will build 2,000 sites including in-building solutions, partnerships with independent tower companies and new cell sites.  Globe is looking at making 4G LTE as the new standard of mobile services.

 

Globe will likewise continue to expand its 5G footprint as more 5G-capable devices enter the market.  The aggressive roll out of 5G will happen this year in  more cities and municipalities nationwide.

 

With a better data network in place, voice services will likewise improve by providing  VoLTE (Voice Over LTE) and VoWiFi (Voice Over WiFi), to deliver clearer voice calls, faster call setup and near zero dropped calls. VoLTE and VoWiFi was initially being rolled out in NCR and in other parts of Luzon, and will be implemented in Visayas and Mindanao this year.

So, there you go, there's much that Globe Telecom is going to implement this year. There are improvements already and more to come in the coming months. With these things happening, the dream of our country's telecommunication to have at par with first world nation's connectivity is nearing reach.

Thank you very much for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.

LIfestyle | A New Year with New Normal

How are you? Yes, it's new year and we are having a new normal. As we start the year, it will be very important that we continue life amidst the circumstances around. I know that many are hopeful this year as there are many development in the vaccine against Covid-19 from many pharmaceutical companies around the globe. On the other hand, many are still not very confident with how things are happening because there's a new variant of the virus. Yet, the bottomline is, we have to live life like what is happening is just a PAUSE.

This post may just be a reminder that our struggle is not yet over. We should be reminded that we have to do the standard health protocols like use of face mask, face shield, wash or sanitize hands as frequent as possible, and keep a physical distance. These are really simple and doable steps against getting the Covid-19 and even to many infectious diseases.

There are really a lot of changes that 2020 has brought to the global market. Many have closed down because business is not getting any better. On the other hand, there are those companies who have changed their nature of business. Aside from that, there are also risk takers who have just started their business during the pandemic, this may be in relation to change of nature but many are really new to the business. Actually, it is somehow an indication of resilience and able to cope for the losses that have been brought by the pandemic. Also, it is a sign of hope that markets are bouncing back to bullish levels even though the threat of the virus is still there. Still, a friendly reminder of wearing face mask and face shield, hand sanitation and physical distancing are really helpful to reduce the chance of contracting the infection to continue business.

It must not be forgotten also that it is very important to maintain our body's health. We should have enough sleep or rest and adequate boost of immune system by taking a dose of vitamin C. During the onset of the pandemic, many have hoarded supplies and hopefully it will not happen again as it will affect the supply and demand chain. We are slowly getting back in shape even a cautious on the things we do but that should be practiced these days. Let's just take things slow and maximize the resources we have and not hoard so that everybody can benefit.

Indeed, this is a very hopeful year, a year that we want to be better than the past year. Though there are also things that we are thankful of the year that passed, seeing nature to recover also is such a blessing! A blessed new year to all!

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Event | "People's Champ", Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Donates Globe Endorsement Fee to Typhoon Victims

L-R: Upstream Partner Dondon Monteverde, Director Erik Matti, Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu, Uptream Partner Roselle Monteverde, New Globe Ambassador Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Arnold Vegafria, Ayala Corporation Chairman and CEO and Globe Telecom Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Atty. Brando Viernesto, Globe Consumer Business Head Issa Cabreira, Ayala Corporation Business Development Head, Corporate Strategy and Development Group Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, Globe Senior Advisor, Joe Caliro

Here is the story:

Manila, Philippines November 18, 2020: After scoring a brand endorsement agreement with Globe to be its newest brand ambassador, Senator and People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao announced that he is donating his fees to victims of typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. At the recently held contract signing at the Mireio, Raffles Hotel in Makati with Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu and Globe Chairman and Ayala Corporation Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Pacquiao offered to give his earnings to support relief efforts.

“I said yes to Globe because I believe in the company, and I use the company’s services. Not only that, I am given another God-given opportunity to be of help to our kababayans in any way I can. That is why my endorsement fee for this will go to relief efforts to help our kababayans who were affected by the devastation of typhoons Rolly and Ulysses.  Ibibigay natin sa mga taong ito ang ating income dito, ibabalik natin sa taumbayan para makatulong ng malaki sa ating mga kababayan na naghihirap at nagugutom ngayon at nawalan ng tahanan. Sama sama tayong babangon, that is my commitment,” said Pacquiao.

The contract signing between Globe and twelve-time, eight-division world champion, Manny Pacquiao as its brand ambassador was live streamed on Facebook last night, a new standard for events marketing in the new normal.     

“You’re donating the proceeds of the endorsements – I think that’s a very gallant move, and one that is so timely given the vast devastation that has occurred in the country today,” said Cu.

For Ayala, “At a time when the country is facing so many challenges, Manny’s life story has remained a source of inspiration for every Filipino even in this time of pandemic – a constant reminder of the Filipino’s strength, talent, and tenacity to overcome every difficulty.”

The partnership with Globe also paves the way for Filipinos from all over the world to see Pacquiao’s upcoming fights live via UPSTREAM, the newest transactional video-on-demand (VOD) platform, and GMovies.  

“It is indeed a source of pride to partner with Manny Pacquiao, the People’s Champ. His legendary boxing career is a never ending source of Pinoy inspiration to always strive to be better,” said Upstream partner Dondon Monteverde. “This same inspiration goes in line with our vision for Upstream to become the best entertainment platform for the Filipino. It is with great privilege and honour that Upstream will air his next fight through live internet streaming to the Filipino people,” Monteverde added.

Also present at the contract signing were Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, Business Development Head of Ayala Corporation; Issa Cabreira, Globe Consumer Business Group Head; Joe Caliro,

Globe Senior Adviser; Arnold Vegafria, Talent Manager, and Roselle Monteverde, Regal Films Producer.  

Globe is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact and has committed to implement sustainability principles hinged on four pillars including One Digital Nation, Care for the Environment, Care for People and Positive Societal Impact. Globe is actively supporting 10 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Indeed, it is another great moment to celebrate for the Filipinos. It is not a doubt that the Senator has his heart for those people in need as he always does it. It is also not a surprise as the good senator really has some other resources and perhaps it is an extra to help people. It is going to be a good partnership with Globe with the senator. God bless us all!

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Event | Globe Telecom's Efforts to Restore Services Among Typhoon Struck Areas

The Philippines normally faces tyhpoons every year that may or may not disturb telecommunications services in many areas in the country after it passes the typhoon belt. Recently, the Typhoon Rolly and Typhoon Ulysses struck the country and did so much destruction in the Bicol Area and other parts of Luzon. Globe also is doing its best to give and restore services among affected areas. Here are the stories:

Globe provides free mobile services to customers hit by Typhoon Ulysses

With so many Filipinos suffering from the destruction brought by Typhoon Ulysses, customers are in most need of communication assistance from their trusted service provider.  Globe is supporting  its mobile customers in areas hit by Typhoon Ulysses with free mobile services.

Globe Prepaid is providing free unlimited texts to all networks and free calls to Globe/TM for three days. For Globe Postpaid customers, credit action will be put on hold until the end of the week to accord customers more time to pay their bills. 

Likewise, TM customers will also  be given free unlimited texts to all networks and free calls to Globe/TM for three days.

The offers are being given to affected customers in the following areas: Albay, Aurora, Bataan, Batangas, Benguet, Bulacan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Cavite, Laguna, La Union (Southern portion), Masbate (Burias and Ticao Islands), Marinduque, Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya (Central and Southern portions), Occidental Mindoro (Northern portion), Oriental Mindoro (Northern portion), Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Sorsogon, Tarlac, and Zambales.

Anyone who wants to assist the victims of the calamity may use their Globe Rewards points for affected families supported by Ayala Foundation and ABS CBN Foundation. All funds gathered will be used to support ongoing relief operations for affected families and communities.

Donations are also accepted through the GCash App by tapping Pay Bills, Others, and selecting #UlyssesPHAid and will support beneficiaries of the following organizations: ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc., Philippine Red Cross, Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation, UNICEF, Save the Children, and World Vision.

Globe At Home quickly responds to customers' needs with calamity offers to more areas affected by typhoons Rolly and Ulysses

As Typhoon Ulysses hits various parts of the country even before Filipinos are able to recover from Typhoon Rolly, Globe At Home extends its offers to impacted customers in more areas affected by the twin calamities.

Globe At Home Postpaid users in affected areas will receive free 5GB of data for 3 days seeded to their Globe mobile subscriptions.  On top of this, their monthly bill will be reversed corresponding to the days when they experienced no connection. Likewise, Globe Home Prepaid WiFi customers in affected areas will be provided with free 5GB of data for 3 days. The free data offer will be sent out automatically.

Areas hit by Typhoon Rolly that are covered are: NCR (1st district - City of Manila, 2nd District, 4th District), Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Marinduque, Masbate, and Western Samar.

Additional areas covered due to Typhoon Ulysses are: Aurora, Bataan, Benguet, Bulacan, La Union (Southern portion), Masbate (Burias and Ticao Islands), Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya (Central and Southern portions), Occidental Mindoro (Northern portion), Oriental Mindoro (Northern portion), Pampanga, Pangasinan,  Quirino, Tarlac, and Zambales.

Globe At Home is sending out these offers to affected customers only, noting the importance of communications during such trying times.  Aside from access to reliable voice communications,  people also need data to get information about what is happening around them and stay in touch with  friends and loved ones.

These are part of Globe’s relief and recovery efforts to help those who are most vulnerable and severely affected by the calamity.

Globe first to restore mobile and data services in Tiwi, Albay

Globe is the first telco to have successfully restored its voice, text and internet services in Tiwi, Albay.

The company’s network operations team has been working shifts, and trekking land and sea to ensure that mobile and data services are restored, to provide for its customers’ critical communication needs in areas severely affected by Typhoon Rolly.

Globe is exerting all means possible to complete restoration of services in remaining severely affected areas in Catanduanes, Albay, and Camarines Sur.

As telecommunications play a big part of our lives now due to the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, telecommunications is needed to be restored right away. Many needs it to communicate updates, continue the learning model of online class, and among others. Thus, all efforts of all telecommunications companies available are highly appreciated!

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