By EMMIE V. ABADILLA
Globe Telecom Inc. may soon be the country’s first Third Generation (3G) services provider.
After beating other local operators in completing its first 3G video call in the Philippines almost four months ago, Globe filed its formal application for 3G frequency bands with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) yesterday.
With the move, Globe becomes the first domestic telecom firm to comply with all of the NTC’s 3G requirements to provide the service.
Specifically, Globe requested for the 1920-1940 MHz, 2110-2130 MHz paired radio frequency bands, with the 1960-1980 MHz, 2150-2170 MHz as second priority.
Globe needs these 3G frequency spectra to upgrade its current CMTS (Cellular Mobile Telephone System) services to 3G.
Globe will remit the corresponding spectrum user fees and post a performance bond equivalent to
P300 million to the NTC to comply with the rules on the allocation of 3G radio frequency bands.
Globe presented the other requirements to the NTC yesterday, including the Globe and Innove track record in the operation of cellular mobile and other telecommunications systems; its 5-year 3G network rollout plan and schedule of rates for 3G services.
The telco also presented its congressional franchises; certification of 70:30 debt-to-equity ratio; proof of CMTS/3G technical capability; and a notarized undertaking to interconnect with other networks, to share network facilities, to negotiate roaming agreements, to abide by NTC’s legal terms and conditions and other related undertakings.
In July this year, Globe Telecom already successfully completed its first video calls over its 3G trial network, allowing not only voice but also full-motion real-time videos between two mobile subscribers. In doing so, Globe became the first Philippine operator to accomplish such feat using 3G trial permit and frequencies from the NTC.
Currently, Globe has existing 3G roaming agreements with 3G operators abroad.
Just a decade ago, Globe pioneered digital communications in the Philippines with the introduction of the second generation of cellular networks, GSM. As communication needs evolved beyond just calling and texting, Globe led and launched the Philippines’ first 2.5G network, with GPRS.
In the same way that the second generation of cellular networks (GSM or "2G") enabled Filipinos to call or text each other from anywhere, anytime, the 3G technology promises the public even richer experiences and greater convenience, on top of the full mobility that only cellular service provides.
With 3G technology and services, subscribers will not only hear, but see loved ones — both locally and abroad as well as watch the news, TV shows, or sports highlights while mobile.
Users can likewise download and listen to the latest music, wherever and whenever they want, among other applications.
