Nokia has won a three-year deal from Globe Telecom to upgrade its existing 4G network, as well as expand the reach of its 5G network at over 1,000 sites in the Philippines.

The deployment will cover the second and third largest islands of Mindanao and Visayas and will begin in Q2 2021 with completion expected in 2023.

Nokia will provide equipment and services from its comprehensive 5G AirScale portfolio to build out the Radio Access Network (RAN), including base stations and other radio access products. Globe Telecom will also use Nokia’s high-capacity AirScale massive MIMO Adaptive Antenna solution, which utilizes the latest 64TR radios, to boost coverage and performance.

Globe Telecom will be utilizing the new 3.5GHz spectrum band for dense urban coverage. The deal will also see the expansion of the existing FDD/TDD LTE network infrastructure. These solutions will enable Globe Telecom to roll out 5G services across the two major islands of the Philippines.

Nokia will provide its NetAct solution for network management and seamless daily network operations as well as deliver digital design and deployment and optimization and technical support services.

Nokia is an existing partner of Globe Telecom and provides a wide range of solutions including wireless, IP, optical, and fixed network products, and services.

Ookla’s quarterly data shows that Globe Telecom’s overall Consistency Score in Q4 2020 improved to 60.82 percent from Q3’s 56.83 percent. The company registered increases as high as 10 PPTs, with Consistency Scores of up to 65 percent in Q4 2020.

Globe is allotting 80 percent of its P70 billion capital expenditure program this year on data network builds as it aims to deliver first-world internet connectivity for the Filipino. The company seeks to achieve 1 million FTTH lines in 2021.