04/12/2025
Globe pushes fiber expansion, digital access in Isabela de Basilan
BASILAN– Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia A. Turabin-Hataman met with Globe Telecom President and CEO Carl Cruz with senior company officials to discuss the telco’s accelerated broadband expansion aimed at connecting more households and small businesses in Isabela de Basilan.
Mayor Hataman welcomed the initiative, citing its alignment with the city’s upward economic trajectory, which recorded a 31% increase in business activity from the previous year. She reaffirmed the city government’s commitment to fast-track application and implementation processes within regulatory guidelines to support ongoing and future investments.
Globe reported that it began the year with nine on-air cell sites in Isabela City and has since added eight more, with three additional sites scheduled for completion before year-end. For 2026, the company plans to build 12 new sites, three of which already have permits, seven awaiting LGU approval, and two undergoing acquisition.
The company also outlined progress in its broadband and fiber-to-the-home expansion. Lines increased from 112 to an expected 432 by year-end, with an additional 1,100 lines scheduled for rollout in 2025 using Quick ODN technology to speed up deployment and improve service.
Globe executives presented updates on their Submarine Cable Program, which will establish a landing station in Isabela City to accommodate rising data traffic across the BASULTA region. Marine surveying is set for early Q1 2026, with full construction targeted by Q2 2027.
“Fixed broadband remains a key growth driver for us. With user data consumption now exceeding 30GB per user each month, we’re refining our fiber strategy beyond just connectivity—it’s about powering homes, uplifting small enterprises, and fueling the broader digital economy,” said Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz.
Filipinos currently spend nearly nine hours online daily, according to the latest Digital 2025 Repo