Globe Telecom will be making an investment of nearly $500 million over a 5-year period starting 2016 to expand its corporate data network.

The investment towards its Capex (capital expenditure) program is aimed at meeting the bandwidth requirements of corporate and enterprise clients.

“A growing number of enterprises use software applications delivered via cloud which require significant bandwidth. Deploying fiber in key areas will enhance productivity, efficiency and competitiveness of businesses that will sustain the growth momentum of the Philippine economy,” said Rizza Maniego-Eala, acting chief finance officer at Globe Telecom.

Globe Telecom’s enterprise clients can utilize new network technologies such as Software Defined Network / Network Function Virtualization, Cloud, Big Data, among others. Globe Telecom aims to add clients from industry verticals such as finance, services, retail, IT-BPO and manufacturing.

In addition to the $500 million investment announced today, Globe Telecom already announced another investment program for creating an internet superhighway by deploying fiber in 20,000 barangays all over the country by 2020 to provide ultra-fast internet access to around 2 million homes.

The telecom network operator said the infrastructure build involves a capacity expansion program for both mobile and wireline using technologies including 3G, LTE and Wi-Fi. At present, less than 10 percent of Filipinos have wired broadband connectivity.