Globe Telecom of the Philippines has launched what it claims is the country’s first commercial deployment of LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) four component carrier (4CC) spectrum aggregation technology, using the 2600MHz band. 4CC, which uses four distinct and separate blocks of 2600MHz spectrum, aggregated by LTE-A eNode B equipment, effectively doubles LTE capacity to improve mobile broadband speeds in those areas covered to peak rates of up to 400Mbps. According to Globe Senior Vice President for Programme Governance, Network Technical Group, Joel Agustin, the cellco has already deployed 4CC technology in 110 sites – mostly in Metro Manila, and specifically in Makati and certain areas in Quezon City, Marikina, Antipolo and San Mateo. Agustin notes that Globe’s 2600MHz rollout is the result of its joint acquisition of San Miguel Corp (SMC’s) telecommunication assets last year which has boosted its capability to further improve its LTE rollout.
‘This is the first time that a telco operator in the Philippines is making use of this four-component carrier spectrum LTE-Advanced technology and we are maximising the potential of the new spectrum assigned to us for the benefit of our customers. This technology milestone significantly improves customer experience as smartphone penetration in the country continues to increase,’ Agustin said. Going forward, Globe intends to roll out 4CC at more than 500 sites, augmenting its Metro Manila deployment with 2600MHz coverage in North Luzon and South Luzon. The company began using its new allocation of 2600MHz frequencies in June 2016 and to date, claims to have installed no fewer than 2,600 LTE sites – including approximately 1,200 mostly in Visayas and Mindanao.