Globe Telecom: 6 subdivisions approve cell site proposals

Telco operator also begins discussion with 3 upscale villages

Globe Telecom said 6 villages have already approved cell site proposals made by the telecommunications operator as part of its efforts to continuously improve mobile experience of its customers.

Following positive response from homeowner associations concerned to cell site proposals made by Globe, the permitting process for the establishment of new cell sites in 6 villages is now proceeding well. These villages are Maria Luisa Subdivision in Cebu; Palmera Hills II in Taytay, Rizal; Meralco Village in Binangonan, Rizal; Pamana Village in Novaliches, Quezon City; Victoria Valley in Antipolo City and Grand Valley Subdivision in Angono, Rizal.

“We are grateful for the support that we’re generating from homeowners in these villages so we can effectively make good of our commitment to improve mobile service experience of our customers in these areas. We are hopeful that other HOAs, such as those in exclusive villages, will provide the same cooperation afforded to us by residents in the 6 subdivisions mentioned,” Globe Director for Site Acquisition & Management Vincent Tempongko said.

Tempongko also cited BF Federation of Homeowner Associations, Inc. for expressing its willingness to cooperate and support the telecommunication operator’s bid to build more cell sites and expand its fiber optic network within the BF community. BF Federation supervises over 68 HOAs covering between 16,000 to 18,000 households.

Following the appeal for cooperation from Globe, the company is currently in talks with 3 exclusive subdivisions for the possibility of establishing additional cell sites within their villages. These are San Lorenzo Village, Ayala Alabang and Corinthian Gardens, where some homeowners have earlier expressed willingness to cooperate with the company. The respective homeowners’ associations are in initial discussions with Globe officials on possible establishment of new cell sites within their subdivisions.

The need for additional cell sites in exclusive villages follows growing customer requirement for internet connectivity, amid increasing propensity for smartphone use.

For many years now, Globe has had to deal with permitting difficulties in establishing right-of-way and cell sites in subdivisions relating to the company’s initiative of improving the state of internet in the country. Many of these HOAs oppose cell site proposals made by the company due to alleged health hazards.

In fact, Globe recently filed a civil suit against Betty Aw, a resident of Dasmarinas Village for preventing construction of cell sites that kept the telecommunications operator from improving mobile services within the exclusive subdivision.

Globe emphasized though that HOAs’ concerns over health issues are unfounded and without basis as both the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the World Health Organization already affirmed that proximity to cell sites does not cause any known health risks. Globe emphasized that the country badly needs to build new sites if it wants to overcome signal problems and provide access to internet services. Currently, the Philippines only has 16,400 sites serving 129.4 million mobile customers, the lowest site density compared to its Asian neighbors.