Globe pushes connectivity as fifth utility

• Contributed photo

Globe Telecom is pushing for connectivity to be treated as the country’s fifth essential utility as mobile data becomes increasingly central to how Filipinos work, learn, make payments and access services.

The telecommunications company said connectivity should be recognized alongside traditional utilities such as water, electricity, gas and transportation because more daily activities now depend on reliable internet access.

“Connectivity has become fundamental to how Filipinos live, work, learn, and build their future,” said Carl Cruz, President and CEO of Globe. “As connectivity becomes the fifth utility, our responsibility goes beyond expanding networks. We must ensure they are reliable, resilient, secure, and accessible because people increasingly depend on them every single day.”

Globe’s first-quarter results showed that mobile data accounted for 89 percent of its total mobile service revenues, up from 85 percent during the same period last year. Traditional voice and text messaging services continued to decline as customers shifted to internet-based communications and digital platforms.

The company had around 67 million mobile subscribers at the end of March 2026, an eight percent increase from a year earlier. More than 39 million customers actively used mobile data, while average monthly data consumption climbed by 12 percent to approximately 16 gigabytes per subscriber.

Globe attributed the higher consumption to video streaming, social media, online gaming, digital payments and the continued adoption of 5G services.

The company said it is expanding its infrastructure to meet growing demand. In 2025, Globe installed 1,549 additional 5G sites and deployed 115,082 fiber-to-the-home lines. Around 90 percent of its ₱46.2-billion capital expenditures for the year went to data-related investments, including 5G, fiber and network upgrades.

Network investments continued during the first quarter of 2026, when Globe rolled out 408 new 5G sites and 43,084 fiber-to-the-home lines. About 91 percent of its ₱12.7-billion capital expenditures during the period was allocated to data-related initiatives.

Globe is also developing a network ecosystem combining mobile and fiber services with subsea cables, satellite connectivity, wireless optical technologies and data centers.

The company said the approach would help improve coverage in urban areas, underserved communities and geographically isolated locations while providing infrastructure for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital commerce and government services.

The initiative comes as the government implements the National Digital Connectivity Plan, the country’s first national infrastructure master plan focused on digital connectivity. The plan seeks to provide fast, affordable, reliable and resilient internet access, particularly in unserved and underserved areas.

Globe said recognizing connectivity as essential infrastructure would require continued investments and policies that support faster network deployment, service reliability and wider access.

The company has previously called for reforms addressing infrastructure costs and deployment barriers, arguing that internet connectivity already plays a direct role in education, livelihood and participation in the digital economy.