Filipinos are already getting a taste of Globe's 3G services in continuing demos in malls, bars and in some of its business centres in Metro Manila. These build on the first live public 3G demos that Globe conducted back in 2005 in both Metro Manila and Cebu . Beyond the demos, some of Globe's corporate customers are already making use of the next generation 3G services on a trial basis. Upon launch, Globe post-paid customers will be able to sign up to use 3G as well, to be followed soon after by Globe prepaid customers.
Globe now joins SingTel Mobile of Singapore , CSL of Hong Kong, Maxis Communications Berhad of Malaysia, Optus Mobile of Australia and Taiwan Mobile, all members of the Bridge Mobile Alliance, in offering 3G services to customers in the Asia-Pacific region. Among Globe's initial services are video calls and high speed Internet browsing, downloading and streaming. These services are presently being tried out by the top executives of Ayala Land Inc, General Milling Corp, Sun Life of Canada , PruLife UK , 3M Philippines and the Aboitiz Group of Companies, as part of the company's 3G testing efforts before Globe's 3G services break ground.
Globe's 3G network will cover almost all of the key cities and municipalities of the country over the next 3-5 years. Globe will also deliver superior 3G roaming coverage internationally, leveraging its long-standing international roaming leadership. In fact, with the Bridge Mobile Alliance, Globe already made 3G roaming available to its subscribers since July last year.
Globe has recently made more headway in providing global 3G services to Filipinos and their relatives overseas, again under the Bridge Mobile Alliance. Globe and SingTel once again join forces to strengthen Filipino relationships by giving families the chance to see and hear their loved ones in Singapore by offering free Video IDD calls.
With regard to the country in its entirety Globe intends to make 3G services widely available in the Philippines, in the same way that it has pioneered GSM and SMS, and introduced MMS (multimedia messaging service), which are being enjoyed by all subscribers.
