Globe announces Q1 results, mobile revenues up 6 percent (Philippines)
Globe Telecom, started the year on a high note with first quarter consolidated service revenues soaring to an all-time high of $478.5 million, up 6 percent against last year’s level of $452.3 million. Mobile revenues increased by 6 percent year-on-year from $370 million to about $393.2 million this period despite intense competition and continued price pressures.
Broadband revenues were also up 13 percent year-on-year from to $47.4 million in the first quarter amid the strong take-up of Tattoo-On-The-Go offerings. Globe Postpaid kept its growth momentum going as the customizable plans continue to attract new and old subscribers, alongside the success of the Apple iPhone 4S launch.
Revenues from Globe Postpaid outperformed past year’s level, improving a robust 17 percent year-on-year, while Globe Prepaid and TM combined delivered a 2 percent revenue growth driven by the new brand campaigns and a boost in service offerings. Cumulative mobile subscriber base as of end-March stood over 31.0 million, up 14 percent from the same period last year.
Total subscriber base reached almost 1.5 million by end of March, 26 percent above last year with wireless customers comprising about 80 percent of the total from 78 percent a year ago. Against the seasonally strong fourth quarter, this period’s service revenues were up by 1 percent with strong results from Globe Postpaid coupled with the sustained expansion of the broadband and fixed line data segments.
Ernest L. Cu, President and CEO of Globe Telecom, said that they are pleased with their results this period, and the way they have built on and sustained the momentum of the last six quarters. Despite intense competition, they continue to make gains in our mobile and broadband businesses. This reinforces their commitment to their transformation agenda to better serve their customers. He added that the industry is entering a new phase, and they see 2012 as a year of investments in their customers, in their networks, and in their systems and processes.
Globe looks to launch 4G network by year-end in Cebu (Philippines)
Globe Telecom vice president for consumer business Peter Bithos has said that the operator is looking to launch fourth-generation (4G) mobile services in Cebu before the end of the year, as told to Cebu Daily News.
Bithos said that they expect 4G in the next two quarters of this year. Ultimately, upgrading the entire national network to 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) is Globe’s main plan, and its president and CEO Ernest Cu is confident this can be achieved without passing on the investment costs to consumers.
As per the report, Cu went on to say that he is confident Globe can maintain its 2011 level of performance despite the recent tie-up of PLDT and Digitel’s Sun Cellular mobile unit which has created an enlarged entity with a roughly 70 percent share of the domestic market. Globe Telecom is setting aside a USD700 million loan from various lending agencies to improve its infrastructure this year – including the installation of 4G across the country.
Globe is exclusive carrier of Lumia 800 smartphone (Philippines)
Globe Telecom announced that it is the exclusive Philippine carrier of Nokia Lumia 800, Nokia’s latest smartphone device that runs on the Windows platform, featuring Internet Explorer 9, free maps and voice-guided navigation services, and free image and file storage.
Globe subscribers can avail of the Nokia Lumia 800 for only $ 35 a month, complete with unlimited mobile browsing and the most affordable call and text freebies that are changeable monthly. With Globe My Super Plan Unli Surf Combo, the country’s only customizable unlimited data plan, Globe provides users with uninterrupted surfing, their gadget of choice, monthly load, and freebies all in one subscription. The Nokia Lumia 800 is also offered at minimum cash-out for lower plans.
Nokia Lumia 800 is part of Nokia’s latest portfolio of smartphones, boasting a 16GB memory + 5GB in SkyDrive, 3.7 AMOLED clear black display, 8MP auto-focus camera with HD video recording, corning Gorilla glass screen and Carl Zeiss lens, and comes in Cyan and Black colors.
Dharmesh Goshalia, General Manager and Head of Sales for Nokia Philippines, said that they are very happy to have partnered once again with Globe in distributing their latest innovation, the Nokia Lumia 800, in the Philippines. The stunningly social Nokia Lumia 800 brings content to life with its head-turning design, Nokia’s best social and internet experience, and familiar Nokia elements such as leading imaging capabilities and new signature experiences.
Martha Sazon, Head for Globe Postpaid, added that this latest smartphone is best paired with their customizable My Super Plan UnliSurf Combo Plans, which provide users with unlimited and worry-free mobile browsing, call and text freebies plus boosters to boot. And with the Globe Guarantee, subscribers are assured they will never experience bill shock ever again because they will never pay more than $24 as long as they are registered to any of their data plans. Further, they guarantee 24/7 access to all customer service channels and after-sales support for the devices. Truly, Globe and Nokia allow customers to create their own postpaid plan to pair with the most advanced smartphone devices, the way they want.
Globe Telecom upgrades network in Davao City (Philippines)
Leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom, which is currently embarking on a $700-million landmark mobile network modernization program, brings a radically enhanced network experience to residents of Davao City through fast call connections, on-time delivery of text messages, and reduced incidence of dropped calls even at peak hours and traffic-heavy occasions.
Being a key market and focus area for Globe, Davao City was tapped for the implementation of the network change-out beginning December last year, resulting in doubled mobile telephony capacity in the area to support growing customer demand and improvements in voice and SMS service quality.
The network modernization program, touted as the most significant investment of Globe in the last two decades, includes an all-IP infrastructure, pervasive 3G coverage, double fiber optics capacity, 4G and LTE readiness, and overall quality and resiliency.
Once completed, Globe envisions a robust and resilient network that can provide an unparalleled customer experience to truly set the company apart from competition. The new Globe network and IT systems are not only designed to address all current customer needs but would also have the capacity and capability for more sophisticated use of mobile and broadband technologies.
With the telecom industry worldwide evolving at a breakneck speed, it has become imperative for local players to stay competitive and up-to-date with the latest developments. Thus, Globe constantly pushes its underlying infrastructure capabilities to much higher levels so as to touch both consumers and industries in new and progressive ways.
The unprecedented undertaking will modernize all layers of the Globe network within the next five years and is anticipated to set the industry benchmark for the most technologically advanced network in the Philippines. It is expected to bring aggressive growth prospects, savings in capital spending and expenses, as well as operational efficiencies from the synergy among Globe and its partners, Huawei and Alcatel-Lucent. Together bound by vision and resolve, the three companies are committed to instrumentally deliver a superior customer experience for the benefit of the consuming public.
At a higher level, Globe network modernization program also serves to broaden the telecommunications horizon of the Philippines as its corollary infrastructure expansion and service innovation stands to attract investment and business. Globe is effectively raising the bar of technology and service in the industry to make it at par with the world’s most advanced telecom communities and practices.
The Globe network and IT transformation program is an ambitious and yet necessary undertaking which will provide the platform that will make Globe even more competitive in the fast-moving market.
Globe Telecom to launch first GCASH mobile app for Apple iPhones (Philippines)
Philippine telecommunications giant Globe Telecom, through its internationally acclaimed mobile commerce service GCASH, announces a first in the industry with the launch of the GCASH mobile app for Apple iPhones by March 2012. The GCASH iPhone app will be available for download at the iTunes App Store for free.
The new GCASH iPhone app makes it more convenient for users to do their GCASH transactions like sending money, buying airtime load, and paying bills, without the need to memorize keywords or access numbers. In addition, the app boasts of a new feature enabling users to send money not only to people in their phonebook but also to their e-mail and Facebook contacts.
Paolo Baltao, President of G-Xchange, Inc., has said that the new GCASH mobile app for iPhones will make customers enjoy doing their GCASH transactions. Further, they are setting a new standard for customer experience in the field of financial services.
When a subscriber launches the GCASH mobile app, he just needs to type in his mobile number and Mobile PIN (MPIN) to log in. He will be greeted with his ‘moneybook’ which lists down all his GCASH transactions for the month in real-time. Clean and intuitively-designed screens will guide the subscriber in doing his GCASH transactions.
Globe GCASH and American Express team up to develop online payment solutions (Philippines)
Globe Telecom’s mobile commerce subsidiary, G-Xchange has entered into a partnership with American Express, a global payment and network services provider to develop an innovative online payment solution that will allow Globe GCASH mobile wallet customers to not only buy smartphone apps, music, movies, and games but also shop for electronics, toys, apparel, and many other goods from popular US and UK online sites that accept American Express.
The tie-up will provide a hassle-free shopping experience for Filipinos as goods bought through GCASH via American Express can be delivered from the US or UK directly to their homes in the Philippines. Furthermore, customers may also take advantage of thousands of online deals and offers.
Paolo Baltao, President of GXI, has said that with less than 5 per cent credit card penetration in the Philippines, their new solution will provide consumers with a new and compelling payment option – and all they will need is a GCASH mobile wallet to start shopping on online sites outside the Philippines.
Kula Kulendran, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Network Services, Japan, Asia Pacific, Australia, American Express, claimed that the Philippines is a market with strong growth potential, and they see this across several sectors from banking services to e-commerce. Their partnership with GXI will provide consumers with broader access to global online shopping opportunities and services as well as drive innovative product development and strong business growth for both GXI and American Express.
