Globe Telecom Boosts Data Infrastructure as Cloud, AI Demand Surges

Globe Telecom is strengthening its position in the country's emerging digital infrastructure ecosystem, investing ₱26.3 billion in the first half of 2026 as demand for data centers and cloud services accelerates amid the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI).

Globe Telecom is expanding its digital infrastructure and 5G network as demand for cloud, AI and data services grows, with its STT GDC Philippines joint venture developing large-scale data-center capacity, including the 124-MW STT Fairview campus in Quezon City. [Photo: BCDA]

About 90% of the company's first-half capital expenditure was directed toward data-related services, positioning Globe to serve high-end enterprise customers seeking to scale their businesses as demand for cloud computing and AI infrastructure grows.

Globe's expansion into the data center business has been supported by its partnership with ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), which has helped attract foreign direct investment into the country.

The partnership also allows Globe to serve higher-value enterprise customers as its traditional telecommunications business matures beyond voice and text services.

The company has rolled out nine regional data centers, with STT Fairview serving as the centerpiece of the operation. The platform is expected to scale to an information technology (IT) load capacity of 124 megawatts.

Globe's ₱26.3 billion first-half investment was 39% higher than a year earlier, as the company continued to pursue a disciplined capital-allocation strategy focused on network expansion, digital infrastructure and long-term customer value.

The investment reflects Globe's continued efforts to meet the country's rising demand for reliable connectivity while maintaining financial flexibility for other priorities.

The company remains on track to keep full-year capital expenditures below US$1 billion, underscoring its measured approach to growth.

Globe has also continued to expand its 5G network, deploying 878 new 5G sites and bringing outdoor population coverage to more than 98% across Metro Manila and key cities in the Visayas and Mindanao.

It has also expanded 5G coverage in non-key cities, reaching at least 80% of the population.

“Globe’s continued investments in network infrastructure are about more than expanding capacity; they are about delivering a better everyday experience for our customers and ensuring that more Filipinos can benefit from reliable, high-quality connectivity,” said Carl Cruz, president and CEO of Globe Telecom.

“By strengthening our networks and extending our reach, we are helping bridge the digital divide and creating more opportunities for people, families, and communities across the country to participate fully in a more connected future,” he added.

The investments are already translating into improvements in customer experience.

Based on Ookla Speedtest Intelligence data covering the second half of 2024 through the first half of 2026, Globe received consecutive recognitions for network consistency and 5G coverage, including Most Consistent Mobile Provider four times in a row, Widest Mobile 5G Coverage twice in a row and Most Consistent Home Internet twice in a row.

For Globe, the results extend beyond performance metrics.

The company's continued infrastructure rollout also supports broader national priorities involving digital inclusion and connectivity.

By directing much of its spending toward data and network-related initiatives, Globe is strengthening the country's digital backbone and helping more Filipinos participate in an increasingly connected economy.

Globe's first-half 2026 capital-expenditure strategy reflects a clear operating philosophy: invest where it matters most, execute with discipline and keep customer experience at the center.

As demand for faster, more consistent and reliable connectivity continues to grow, the company says it will remain focused on building the network foundation needed to support the Philippines' digital future.

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