As the surge in global oil prices and Middle East tensions continue to impact the cost of basic necessities, Globe is doubling down on its mission to provide Filipinos with a digital lifeline. By bridging the gap between basic access and true financial health, the company is empowering citizens to exercise greater prudence and resilience in an increasingly challenging economic landscape.
While account ownership in the Philippines grew to 50.2% as of 2024, the current global climate has highlighted the urgency of moving beyond mere access. At the recent Manila Times Economic Forum, World Bank Lead Economist Gonzalo Varela noted that many Filipinos remain in a “vulnerability trap,” where one in four citizens are just one “economic shock”, such as a spike in fuel prices or a sudden illness, away from falling back into poverty.
To mitigate these shocks, Globe is aggressively expanding its network to serve as a critical bridge for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) framework for financial health. In an era where every peso is vital, reliable connectivity allows households to practice digital prudence: bypassing expensive transport costs by transacting from home, accessing real-time price monitoring for goods, and building emergency funds via mobile apps to avoid high-interest predatory debt.
Strategic Tech Enabler
This effort was the focus of a recent high-level discussion between senior leaders from BSP and Globe Telecom. The briefing, attended by BSP Managing Director Eugene C. Teves, centered on technologies that help Filipinos transact more safely and efficiently in today’s digital Philippine economy. By serving as a strategic tech enabler, Globe is helping the BSP build a digital ecosystem where Filipinos can stretch their budgets through more affordable and innovative services.
Globe’s Chief Commercial Officer Darius Delgado said: “At Globe, we see ourselves as more than a telco. We provide the ‘rails’ that keep the economy moving. In these times of global volatility, our network acts as a stabilizer, ensuring that commerce and essential services remain accessible and cost-effective for every Filipino.”
In direct response to the escalating tensions in the Middle East, Globe recently mobilized roaming goodwill offers to ensure that overseas Filipinos remain connected to their families during this critical time. Globe provided a complimentary roaming package, including 1GB of data, 15 minutes of calls, and 15 SMS, to customers in affected areas such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. For those in Iran and Iraq, Globe extended load assistance and billing adjustments. This initiative underscores Globe’s role as a proactive partner in times of crisis, ensuring that communication remains a bridge for safety rather than an added financial burden.
Innovative Deployment
Globe is directly tackling the infrastructure hurdles that traditionally drive up service costs. Through pioneering partnerships with Lynk Global and Starlink, Globe has piloted Direct-to-Device (D2D) technology, allowing standard LTE phones to connect via satellite in remote areas. Additionally, by tapping Transcelestial to roll out 400 wireless laser links, Globe is delivering fiber-class speeds without the need for traditional, costly, and time-consuming trenching.
By utilizing these “non-traditional” methods to lower the cost of deployment, Globe aims to pass these efficiencies directly to the consumer. This ensures that even as the prices of physical goods rise, the cost of staying connected and doing business remains within reach for the average family.
“Connectivity is the backbone of how people work and save today,” said Carl Cruz, Globe President and CEO. “Our goal is to ensure that our network translates into real-world benefits: consistent service that is affordable enough to help many Filipinos weather the current economic storm.”
These local efforts also prepare the country for its broader role in the region. As the Philippines prepares for the 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship and the push for ASEAN Regional Payments Connectivity, Globe’s network ensures the digital ecosystem is ready for faster, cheaper remittances and more efficient cross-border trade—further elevating the Philippines’ standing and protecting the economic interests of its citizens.
