GLOBE Telecom Inc. wants local government units (LGUs) to speed up telecommunications permitting as it continues to invest in network expansion, with capital expenditure (capex) having reached P26.3 billion in the first half of 2026.
The company said faster approvals could help telecommunications providers move planned cell sites and network upgrades into construction sooner, supporting efforts to improve connectivity, particularly in underserved and remote communities.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported that 12,241 permits and clearances for telecommunications infrastructure had been approved across 707 cities and municipalities as of September 2026.
The approvals follow reforms under Executive Order 32, issued in 2023, which streamlined requirements for telecommunications and internet infrastructure and directed LGUs to process applications within prescribed timelines to prevent backlogs.
“Faster permitting is important in bringing better connectivity to more Filipinos. We appreciate the efforts of LGUs to simplify these processes and help telecommunications providers move forward with their projects,” said Joel Agustin, Globe senior vice president and head of network planning and engineering.
“Continued cooperation between government and the industry will help us expand our network and reach more communities, especially those that remain underserved,” he added.
Globe reported on Friday that its capital expenditures reached P26.3 billion in the first half, with 91 percent allocated to data-related initiatives, reflecting the company’s continued investment in mobile and fixed-line connectivity.
During the same period, Globe said it deployed 878 new fifth-generation (5G) sites and 80,052 fiber-to-the-home lines. Its outdoor 5G population coverage is said to have exceeded 98 percent in Metro Manila and key cities in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Globe said sustained investment, supported by faster and more predictable permitting, could help accelerate network deployment and extend reliable connectivity to more communities.
The company added that it would continue working with national agencies and LGUs to support network rollout across the country.
Globe shares on Friday closed unchanged at P1,550.00 each.
