Philippine mobile operator Globe Telecom continues to ramp up its 5G capabilities as it completed the first 5G video call in the country with Bangkok-based AIS Thailand.
The conversation lasted more than three minutes and was made recently after Globe received the technical call from AIS when the mobile operator tested its own 5G network in Bangkok last Friday, February 21.
AIS has officially acquired its new 5G spectrum the same day it made the call to Globe.
5G is an extremely powerful technology and promises amazing new features. Leading telcos all over the world have been pivoting to 5G technology in the last few years to keep up with customers' demand for better and elevated mobile experience.
5G is essential to IoT adoption
The availability of commercial 5G in the country will enable the development and roll out of digital services to businesses and consumers, according to the company.
“This technology will deliver a new era of digital use for AR, VR, Internet of Things (IoT), industrial applications and much more in the Philippines," Alan Garchitorena, Globe director for technology enablement & service planning.
Globe launched its 5G fixed wireless access in June last year, making the Philippines the first country in Southeast Asia to introduce the technology.
Called Globe At Home Air Fiber 5G, Globe makes use of fixed location wireless radios instead of fiber optic cables, enabling the company to go over the circuitous approval process of deploying a fiber optic cable - a task which proves to be arduous and involves securing multiple permits from local government units.
The right of process can sometimes take years to obtain, causing drastic delays in fiber optic roll-out completion.
Initially available only in select areas in Pasig, Cavite, and Bulacan, Globe is targeting to turn areas within major central business districts (CBDs) to 5G mobile capable sites within the year.
