Over 200 Globe teams from around the country joined network restoration efforts in Cebu City, now approaching the final stage. Cebu was among several areas in Visayas and Mindanao that sustained considerable damage from Super Typhoon Odette last December.
The reinforcements aim to speed up the repair of the company’s Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) network. Globe has completed restoration of 90 percent of its wired network as of end of February, while the rest is expected to be fully operational by the middle of March.
Odette toppled 80 cell sites in the Visayas, most of which were located in Cebu. Due to powerful winds and heavy rains, primary and secondary telecom lines were compromised.
Globe has been deploying additional teams from Luzon and Mindanao since December 17. This is due to numerous challenges brought about by the magnitude of Odette’s impact and the kind of specialized manpower needed to handle fiber optic cables.
However, activities are hampered by power outages, multiple fiber cuts, and road clearing operations by local government units (LGUs) and other utility providers. All these make wireline restoration efforts more complicated compared to wireless.
“Connectivity is critical these days. This is why as part of #AlagangGlobe, our teams have redirected reinforcements in Cebu City who have been working tirelessly to hasten repair efforts to customers’ home internet lines and main facilities that were damaged by the typhoon,” said Wil-R Saldua, Globe Sr. Director for Broadband Customer Field Services.
“Globe always has the best interest of our customers in mind. Although there are circumstances beyond our control, we are doing our best to ensure that our affected kababayans have access to our services as soon as possible,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe SVP for Corporate Communications and Chief Sustainability Officer.
While repairs are going on, Globe also continues to support local communities as they rebuild and recover. The company ensured that those affected remained connected through 134 Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging services across Visayas and Mindanao. It also supported more than 10,000 families through relief efforts in collaboration with partner NGOs and local Globe teams.
Likewise, the company equipped LGUs in badly-hit areas with the M360 messaging platform, providing a one-time package of free SMS blast services for 30 days. The initiative aided LGUs in their community disaster relief and recovery operations.
Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9, highlighting the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. It is committed to upholding the UN Global Compact principles and contributing to 10 UN SDGs.
