GLOBE Telecom Inc. has teamed up with Singapore-based Transcelestial to deploy more than 400 wireless laser links over the next three years, a strategic move aimed at accelerating the country’s 5G rollout and digital infrastructure.
This strategic expansion positions Globe as a global pioneer in deploying wireless optical infrastructure at a national scale. The telco said that by leveraging laser technology for last-mile and backhaul connectivity, traditional infrastructure bottlenecks would be hurdled and allow for faster and more resilient 5G services.
Transcelestial’s technology was said to be suitable for the unique terrain challenges of the Philippine archipelago, where laying physical fiber-optic cables across coastlines, mountains and disaster-prone areas is often slow and cost-prohibitive.
By utilizing wireless laser links, Globe said it would be able to deliver fiber-class capacity for 5G and small cells through a rapid deployment model that bypasses traditional construction delays.
It will provide secure and interference-free connections that remains highly flexible for diverse use cases, ranging from large-scale events and emergency response to permanent connectivity for temporary or remote sites.
“Globe’s strategy recognizes that no single technology will define the future of national networks,” Joel Agustin, Globe senior vice president for engineering and network planning, said.
“The move to deploy Transcelestial lasers represents an acceleration of our commitment to bring better access to more Filipinos at speed. We are creating a flexible, future-ready network that adapts to rising capacity needs and environmental constraints,” he added.
Rohit Jha, chief executive and co-founder of Transcelestial, said: “Our 400-link rollout with Globe is a signal that the country is embracing new infrastructure models to overcome old constraints.”
“We are proud to work with a forward-thinking partner like Globe to accelerate the digital economy for all Filipinos.”
Transcelestial is a portfolio company of Kickstart Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Globe. The investment was said to underscore Globe’s commitment to scouting and scaling transformative technologies that solve local connectivity challenges.
“Kickstart’s investment in Transcelestial reflects Globe’s broader commitment to strengthening the country’s digital backbone,” Kickstart general partner Joan Yao said.
“By supporting scalable, resilient connectivity solutions, we’re helping enable more inclusive economic participation across regions, which is fundamental to building a more future-ready Philippines.”
The nationwide rollout follows successful deployments in Visayas and Mindanao as well as high-demand trials at the Philippine Arena during large-scale events in 2024-2025. Globe said the early deployments gave it the operational confidence to scale the technology nationwide.
To ensure seamless integration, Asticom, a Globe-owned shared services company, will be the local engineering partner. Asticom has since 2023 provided the critical on-the-ground technical and engineering expertise to deploy and maintain these laser links across the country.
“We are proud to enable Globe’s high-tech rollout by bridging the gap between cutting-edge innovation and local infrastructure,” said Mharicar Castillo-Reyes, president and chief executive of Asticom.
“Our goal is to build meaningful connections that improve Filipino lives through reliable, future-ready connectivity.”
Globe Telecom shares closed at P1,660 each on Friday, up by P8.00 or 0.48 percent.
