Globe deploys new solutions to cut service interruptions

MANILA, Philippines — Telco-to-tech giant Globe Telecom Inc. is rolling out a new suite of network solutions that detect service outages quickly and redirect congested traffic elsewhere for continued access all the time.

Globe plans to deploy two new solutions nationwide to keep connectivity lines up and running even during emergencies to ensure subscribers are connected to the internet at all times.

The first is the Automated Outage Response that allows Globe to detect service disruptions fast, giving it headway to tap nearby cellular towers and keep the affected areas connected.

Based on initial tests, the Automated Outage Response saves as much as half of data connectivity during outages, compared to just 10 percent without it. This slashes service disruptions caused by coverage loss, keeping essential communications alive, such as app messaging.

The second is the Intelligent Traffic Management that handles sudden spikes in network use like in concerts. It redistributes excess demand to less congested cell sites with available capacity, so users can still browse the web and make calls even under heavy load.

Globe senior vice president for service planning and engineering Joel Agustin said the telco has invested in the solutions to scale up network resilience for the benefit of subscribers.

“With automation and intelligence at the core, we are not just improving overall experience, but we are also redefining reliability and resilience for the digital age,” Agustin said.

Telco giant PLDT Inc., for its part, is stepping up network deployment by installing fiber lines in at least 3,500 barangays that are currently without connection.

PLDT is working with the government, led by the Department of Education, in its effort to build up network access in these barangays. The target is to provide the communities with connectivity services that can support online learning, among others.

PLDT head of network strategy and architecture Roderick Santiago said the telco is maximizing public-private initiatives to remove barriers to infrastructure rollout. He recalled that since 2019, the provider has worked with regulators in streamlining telco permitting.

The collaboration led to the issuance of Executive Order 32 in 2023, simplifying telco processes for construction, maintenance and repair of important assets to sustain connectivity services.

“When public and private sectors work in sync, we can speed up connectivity rollouts and ensure that even the most remote areas benefit from the country’s digital transformation,” Santiago said.