Built-in broadband infra: Telco eyeing  partnership with housing  developers

CEBU, Philippines —  Globe plans to partner with residential developers across the Philippines as it steps up its push for built-in broadband and dedicated spaces for telco infrastructure in housing developments ensuring reliable and robust connectivity for residents.

“I think the most important requirement that Globe looks for in partners is that they also care about the end user. Globe is a very customer-centric company. We are looking for the same in our partners,” said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu

Cu made this announcement during the recently concluded Globe’s RISE to the Next Level.

The event gathered top executives from Globe’s property partners ASEANA Holdings Inc., Cebu Landmasters Inc., Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC), and the Victor Consunji Development Corp. (VCDC), who all have committed to supporting Globe’s quest for immediate and reliable connectivity in housing developments, from condominiums to villages.

“What we envision is when a customer steps into a property, he is ready to connect just like electricity and water are readily available. And it’s great we’ve gotten this far in terms of our existing partner developers, because like Globe, they are also customer-centric. We are no longer just talking to a blank wall,” said Cu.

Globe currently has 18 property developer partners, with 200 developments covering nearly 100 thousand units fitted with built-in broadband through these collaborations. This makes internet connectivity instantly available to residents upon move-in, a “differentiator” among players in the property market, explained Cu.

John Richard Sotelo, Senior Vice President and Business Unit General Manager of RLC Residences, shared how ready connectivity has become part of customers’ criteria in searching for a new home.

“Customers are demanding it so why should we say no? Spending on fibering units, it’s a basic expectation already. We have reached a point that when people find out you don’t have fiber, clients back out,” said Sotelo during a fireside chat with other top builders at the RISE event.

Cebu Landmasters Inc., (CLI) Chief Operating Officer, Director and Executive Vice President Franco Soberano, whose firm was one of the early adopters of fiber in its developments, cited the practicality of early collaboration between Globe and developers for built-in connectivity.

“It just makes sense to make this mandatory. It will make everyone’s customers happy,” Soberano said.

Cu said Globe stands ready to work with developers in embedding connectivity in their projects.

This is in line with Globe’s commitment to innovation and infrastructure buildup in support of economic development, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.