Globe begins rollout of 2600 MHz wireless network tech

MANILA, Philippines – Ayala-led Globe Telecom announced it has begun commercial deployment of a new massive multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) wireless network technology to enhance the connectivity of users in high-density areas.

Massive MIMO technology enables a mobile network to multiply the capacity of a wireless connection without requiring more antennas. It increases wireless throughput, accommodating more users at higher data rates with better reliability while consuming less power.

The commercial deployment of the new technology comes after Globe did initial tests in the Makati financial district earlier this year.

Globe noted that based on initial test results, the technology improves capacity up to 6 times compared to a regular site.

“The use of massive MIMO technology is an important component of our goal to stay ahead of the demand curve for data capacity in densely populated and high-foot traffic areas,” said Globe senior vice president for program governance Joel Agustin in a statement on Thursday, July 13.

He added that deployment of the massive MIMO technology makes use of the 2600 megahertz (MHz) frequency that Globe gained after it acquired half of San Miguel Corporation’s telecommunications assets last year.

The initial rollout covers 150 wireless broadband sites, located mostly in Southern Luzon and Northern Luzon.

Agustin also pointed out that earlier this month, “Globe became the first mobile operator in the world to activate massive MIMO using 2 Carrier Component carrier aggregation (2CC), which doubles LTE capacity and delivers faster internet experience.”

Compared to the 1CC, Globe’s current deployment of massive MIMO, the 2CC technology uses two distinctly separate blocks of the 2600 MHz spectrum aggregated by LTE-Advanced equipment to deliver faster internet speeds.

Agustin compared this to increasing the number of lanes in a highway from a single lane to two lanes, allowing for faster speed.

Globe previously said it would spend around $600 million this year on upgrading its mobile data infrastructure, focusing particularly around developing the 700 MHz and 2600 Mhz bands it acquired from San Miguel. – Rappler.com