Globe is pouring more money into its network as competition for the Philippines’ increasingly data-hungry consumers intensifies.
The telecommunications giant invested ₱26.3 billion in capital expenditures during the first half of 2026, up 39 percent from a year earlier, as it accelerated spending on network capacity, digital infrastructure and 5G expansion.
About 91 percent of the company’s capital expenditures went directly to data-related initiatives, highlighting where Globe sees the biggest battleground for future growth: faster connections, stronger coverage and a more consistent internet experience.
The spending push has already helped Globe bring outdoor 5G population coverage to more than 98 percent across Metro Manila and key cities in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Even outside major urban centers, the company said its 5G network now covers at least 80 percent of the population in non-key cities, signaling an increasingly aggressive push to bring next-generation connectivity deeper into the provinces.
The expansion comes as mobile data usage continues to reshape how Filipinos work, shop, bank, study and consume entertainment, making network reliability an increasingly important competitive advantage for telecommunications companies.
Despite the jump in first-half spending, Globe is keeping a tight rein on its investment program.
The company said it remains on track to keep full-year capital expenditures below US$1 billion, reflecting a strategy that combines continued network expansion with financial discipline. First-half capex represented 31 percent of service revenues.
“Globe’s continued investments in network infrastructure are about more than expanding capacity, they are about delivering a better everyday experience for our customers and ensuring that more Filipinos can benefit from reliable, high-quality connectivity,” Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz said.
“By strengthening our networks and extending our reach, we are helping bridge the digital divide and creating more opportunities for people, families, and communities across the country to participate fully in a more connected future,” he added.
Globe said the billions it has invested are already translating into stronger network performance.
Based on Ookla Speedtest Intelligence data covering the second half of 2024 through the first half of 2026, Globe has earned the Most Consistent Mobile Provider recognition four consecutive times.
It also secured the Widest Mobile 5G Coverage recognition twice in a row and was named Most Consistent Home Internet provider for two consecutive periods.
For Globe, those recognitions provide ammunition in an increasingly competitive telecommunications market where speed alone is no longer enough. Consistency, coverage and reliability have become key differentiators as consumers increasingly depend on mobile and home internet for everyday activities.
The company’s strategy also reflects a broader shift in the Philippine telecom industry from massive network buildouts toward more targeted capital deployment.
Rather than simply adding infrastructure, Globe is increasingly directing investments toward areas expected to deliver the greatest impact on network performance and customer experience.
That approach could become increasingly important as telecommunications companies balance the need for continued infrastructure upgrades with pressure to protect margins, generate stronger cash flows and maintain healthier balance sheets.
Globe said its network investments also support the country’s broader digital transformation by strengthening the infrastructure needed for e-commerce, digital finance, remote work, online learning and other technology-driven services.
With 5G coverage already approaching near-universal levels in major metropolitan areas, the next phase of the network race is increasingly shifting toward quality, reliability and deeper provincial coverage.
For Globe, the ₱26.3-billion first-half investment makes its strategy clear: spend aggressively where connectivity matters most, but keep enough financial discipline to ensure the network race remains sustainable.