Globe Completes Network Upgrade

Globe Telecom has completed planned upgrades on its network transport backbone which spans Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. With the upgrade, the ultra-high capacity transmission system is now more resilient, providing subscribers with improved network coverage and better services even during extreme weather disturbances.

The upgrade utilized an automatic switch optical network protection which ensures network systems remain reliable and fully stable, especially in anticipation of the rainy season ahead. To complement the upgrade, Globe also made significant improvements in its disaster recovery plan to prevent network disruptions during natural calamities, as well as to execute faster restoration time when services become severely affected.

Globe expanded its fiber optic coverage in the Mindanao region and implemented added protection for its transmission backbone in Zamboanga. It also completed its network modernization project in South Luzon to improve network capacity and quality for mobile and wireless broadband services.

“These are important pieces in our network enhancement initiatives to further improve on our service. We are also implementing a network modernization program to transform our network into a multi-service platform that is fully-redundant for uninterrupted, seamless and consistent network connectivity.  In line with giving our subscribers a superior experience, our modernization program will allow subscribers to feel the difference in terms of connectivity across our products and services,” said Robert Tan, Chief Technical Adviser of Globe.

Tan added, “This transformation will increase our network capacity, as well as build up network resiliency and availability through architecture enhancements, improved hardware and network intelligence, as we continue to keep up with the increasing demand for voice and data use.”

Apart from upgrades on its transmission systems and installation of protected fiber connectivity in critical areas in the country, Globe has invested and partnered with multiple cable systems for diversity and service resiliency for both international data and voice. To date, Globe utilizes 5 submarine cable systems in the country, allowing worldwide connectivity of telecommunications services such as voice and data. By 2013, the company’s newest submarine cable investment, the Southeast Asia Japan Cable (SJC) System, is expected to go online to further increase network capacity and quality.

            With network quality as top priority for the company, Globe earlier announced that a substantial portion of its 2011 CAPEX amounting to US$500 million will be allocated to build up capacity, as well modernize and optimize network infrastructure. The significant investment will also include the commercial deployment of the country’s first and biggest 4G mobile network by initially utilizing the global standard HSPA+, which provides subscribers with high speed broadband access with the added convenience of full mobility.

Globe Announces Executive Moments

          

           Globe Telecom has announced management changes with the movement of Consumer Sales Head Ferdz dela Cruz and Consumer Marketing Head Menchi Orlina. Dela Cruz will be taking up a position within the Ayala Group while Orlina will immigrate to the United States.

           Dela Cruz has been with Globe for the past 8 years serving in various capacities as Head of Consumer Wireless and more recently Head of Consumer Sales. During his stay in the company, he spearheaded the refresh and redesign of the new Globe Stores, which changed the concept of telco retailing in the Philippines. Dela Cruz also led the development of sales efficiency tools that helped engage Globe retailers in achieving sales targets.

           Orlina joined Globe in 2008 as Head of Consumer Broadband and eventually served as Head of Consumer Marketing. She championed the launch of Globe Tattoo, which has now become the fastest growing broadband brand in the country. Orlina engineered various brand initiatives for Globe Postpaid, TM, and Globe Prepaid. Orlina also led the rollout of the company’s CRM efforts that included rewards and targeted offer programs for subscribers.

          Effective July 1, 2011, new executives will join the management team of Globe to help drive continued growth and sustain momentum for the company. Ramon Ralph Matriano, former VP for Sales of Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) Branded Consumer Food Group will be the Head of Consumer Sales. Chee Loo Fun, a Malaysian native and former Head of Channel Marketing from Maxis Communications Berhad, will serve as Senior Adviser for Consumer Marketing.

Globe Labs Unveils Mobile Apps Contest

          

           Globe Telecom recently launched MobApp Hunt 2011, a program for Filipino developers to showcase their creativity in building mobile applications for Android, BlackBerry and iPhone devices. The program aims to recognize and reward local talent in building innovative mobile applications that build on top of network services like mobile broadband, short messaging, voice and location based services

          MobApp Hunt 2011 is being spearheaded by Globe Labs – created in 2008 to expose the company and its partners to emerging technology and innovations as well as identify and develop unique applications that can be commercially introduced in the fixed and wireless consumer market. It aims to usher in the latest information and communication technologies at the earliest market-relevant time to consumers.

“Through MobApp Hunt 2011, we are creating a venue to develop and commercialize the ingenuous creations of our mobile developers, as well as provide them tools to hone their talents further,” said Blue de Venecia, Head of Globe Labs. “Globe Labs has always been at the forefront of extending support to Filipino innovations especially in the field of information and communications technology. With MobApp Hunt 2011, we will continue to engage our mobile developers by giving them opportunities to showcase their innovations both here and abroad.”

            MobApp Hunt 2011 is open to all individuals and companies registered with the Globe Labs Developer Community. Registration can be done online via the Globe Labs Developer Portal at www.globelabs.com.ph where proposal forms can be downloaded. Participants can be individuals or teams, where teams can have a maximum number of 5 members. Submission of proposals is slated until May 23, 2011.

            Announcement of accepted proposals will be on June 6, 2011. Successful developers will have six weeks to create their applications. Participants will also get the chance to attend various trainings, and technical and user interface workshops to help them improve and enhance their creations.

Successful developers will get the chance to have their apps published on myGlobe Free Apps or iTunes (for iOS apps) and receive Php50,000 as reward for each app published.

MobApp Hunt was successfully introduced to the developer community last year with the primary goal of tapping the skills and talents of Filipino developers in the different mobile platforms such as Android, BlackBerry, iOS, MIDP2.0 and Symbian/QT.

For inquiries, visit www.globelabs.com.ph/pages/mobapphunt.aspx.