Telecom Lead Asia: Globe Telecommunication, a leading communications provider in the Philippines, has launched the first LTE roaming service. Globe becomes the first telecommunications company to offer LTE data roaming.
The service allows Globe subscribers roaming with partner operators abroad to enjoy the same high-speed LTE data usage as they can in LTE-covered areas within the Philippines.
Globe has partnered with China Mobile Hong Kong Company for the LTE data roaming service and will soon launch the same service with SK Telecom in Korea.
“The company leverages on our strong partnership with the two carriers to make the LTE data roaming experience seamless for our postpaid subscribers who will be the first to access the superior browsing experience from this service,” said Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu.
Globe is also working with IPX providers Sybase, Aicent, Syniverse, Citic, Tata, and BICs to allow us to scale up our LTE roaming partnerships with operators from Australia, Singapore, US, Japan, Canada, and the Middle East, Cu added. The service will be launched in these countries in the coming months.
“We are very pleased to be the first operator to launch the LTE data roaming service with Globe in Hong Kong. We look forward to Globe subscribers traveling in Hong Kong to roam with us and enjoy our superb high-speed 4G LTE network,” said Sean Lee, director and chief executive officer of China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited, a partner of Globe since 1998.
Globe was the first to introduce 4G technology in the Philippines in 2009, with the deployment of its Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) network. Last year, Globe was also the first to launch 4G Evolved High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA+) network.
Last September, Globe launched its 4G LTE network covering 45 sites in Makati City, and announced plans to quickly expand to cover regions across Manila, Cebu, Davao and select regions. To date, Globe has over 2,700 4G sites that will increase to over 4,000 sites by end 2012.
