Beyond Speed: How Globe Is Redefining Connectivity for Every Filipino

For years, the telecommunications industry has been engaged in a familiar contest: who can deliver the fastest speeds.

But in a country of more than 7,600 islands, speed is only part of the story. The more important question is this: Can people stay connected when it matters most?

Globe recently entered into a landmark partnership with Starlink, becoming one of the first telecommunications operators in Southeast Asia to pursue Direct-to-Cell (DTC) technology. (Photo: DICT Facebook)

That question has increasingly guided Globe Telecom’s network strategy as it shifts the national conversation from raw speed toward what industry experts call Quality of Experience (QoE) and Quality of Service (QoS) — the ability to provide reliable, consistent connectivity during the moments that shape daily life.

A student attending an online class does not merely need speed. A small entrepreneur processing a digital payment does not merely need speed.

A family trying to contact loved ones during a typhoon does not merely need speed. What they all need is a connection that works.

It is this philosophy that has earned Globe international recognition.

At the Mobile World Congress 2025, the company received major accolades for network consistency based on real-world user experiences.

Globe has likewise maintained leadership in network consistency for nine consecutive quarters, according to Ookla measurements, reinforcing a strategy centered not on headline-grabbing peak speeds but on dependable everyday performance.

“What matters is how consistently our customers stay connected in their daily lives, whether they are at work, at home, or on the move,” Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz said.

“Our focus remains on building a network that is resilient and designed around real experiences.”

That commitment is particularly important in a nation where geography remains one of the greatest barriers to digital inclusion.

By 2025, Globe had expanded coverage to approximately 96% of the country, reaching an additional 100 Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).

Yet the remaining 4% represents some of the country’s most difficult terrain — remote islands, mountainous communities, and isolated settlements where traditional telecommunications infrastructure is prohibitively expensive to deploy.

Closing that final gap requires a different approach.

For this reason, Globe entered into a landmark partnership with Starlink, becoming one of the first telecommunications operators in Southeast Asia to pursue Direct-to-Cell (DTC) technology.

The concept is simple but transformative: satellites function as cell towers in space, allowing ordinary LTE mobile phones to connect directly to orbiting satellites without requiring specialized equipment.

For Globe, the choice of Starlink was largely driven by scale.

“We are focused on what satellite technology can deliver today and how it can benefit Filipinos who are currently unserved and underserved,” Cruz said.

“This is precisely why we chose to partner with Starlink, a globally proven platform with over 10,000 low-Earth orbit satellites being used by major operators around the world.”

Just as terrestrial networks depend on the density of cell sites, satellite-to-mobile services rely on the number and maturity of satellites in orbit. More satellites mean stronger service continuity, better responsiveness, and a more reliable experience for users in remote areas.

Globe’s field tests have already demonstrated promising results.

SMS messages were transmitted almost instantaneously, while users successfully accessed messaging platforms, app-based calls, navigation tools, GCash, GlobeOne, and government digital services even beyond conventional mobile coverage.

In a country regularly affected by typhoons and natural disasters, the ability to keep communications running when ground-based infrastructure is compromised may prove just as important as any speed benchmark.

This may be the larger story behind Globe’s evolving strategy.

The future of telecommunications may no longer be defined solely by how fast information travels.

It may increasingly be measured by how reliably people remain connected regardless of geography, weather, or circumstance.

Connectivity, after all, is not merely a technological achievement. It is an economic enabler.

It is an educational bridge. It is a tool for inclusion. And in an archipelago where distance has long been a challenge, it is becoming one of the most important foundations of national development.

The race for speed will continue. But the race that truly matters may be ensuring that no Filipino is left behind.

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