Globe is looking to grow its roster of property development partners as it steps up its push for built-in broadband and dedicated spaces for telco infrastructure in housing developments to ensure reliable and robust connectivity for residents. 

At Globe’s RISE to the Next Level event held on July 11, Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said the company is looking to partner with builders who care for their customers as much as Globe.

“I think the most important requirement that Globe looks for in partners is that they also care about the end user. Globe is a very customer-centric company. We are looking for the same in our partners,” said Cu. 

The event gathered top executives from Globe’s property partners ASEANA Holdings Inc., Cebu Landmasters Inc., Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC), and the Victor Consunji Development Corp. (VCDC), who all have committed to supporting Globe’s quest for immediate and reliable connectivity in housing developments, from condominiums to villages. 

“What we envision is when a customer steps into a property, he is ready to connect just like electricity and water are readily available. And it’s great we’ve gotten this far in terms of our existing partner developers, because like Globe, they are also customer-centric. We are no longer just talking to a blank wall,” said Cu.

Globe currently has 18 property developer partners, with 200 developments covering nearly 100K units fitted with built-in broadband through these collaborations. This makes internet connectivity instantly available to residents upon move-in, a “differentiator” among players in the property market, said Cu. 

John Richard Sotelo, Senior Vice President and Business Unit General Manager of RLC Residences, shared how ready connectivity has become part of customers’ criteria in searching for a new home. 

“Customers are demanding it so why should we say no? Spending on fibering units, it’s a basic expectation already. We have reached a point that when people find out you don’t have fiber, clients back out,” said Sotelo during a fireside chat with other top builders at the RISE event. 

Cebu Landmasters Inc. Chief Operating Officer, Director and Executive Vice President Franco Soberano, whose firm was one of the early adopters of fiber in its developments, cited the practicality of early collaboration between Globe and developers for built-in connectivity. 

“It just makes sense to make this mandatory. It will make everyone’s customers happy,” he said. 

Delfin Angelo “Buds” Wenceslao, CEO of DM Wenceslao Group, master developer of Aseana City, meanwhile, reiterated how instant connectivity should be the norm, not novelty, in developments.

“Similar to how we view other ground utilities, it shouldn’t be an option, it should be standard,” he said. 

VCDC founder and CEO Victor Consunji also shared the turning point that led to his firm’s close collaboration with Globe. VCDC provides Globe space for its network infrastructure to ensure connectivity in its developments. 

“It’s kind of funny, 10 to 12 years ago, Globe was having connectivity issues with cellphones in our developments. At the time, we had a lot of dead spots. We found out it was taking them forever to negotiate for four to six sqm of space to put up cell towers. That’s when everything shifted and I said whatever space you want, go get it, just get towers in. It’s a win-win situation for everybody. I think that is when we really started to jibe,” Consunji said. 

Cu said Globe stands ready to work with developers in embedding connectivity in their projects. 

This is in line with Globe’s commitment to innovation and infrastructure buildup in support of economic development, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

“We’re here to work with you. We know that this is an area that probably is not within the realm or sphere of competence of your engineering teams, just like we don’t know construction. We‘re here to provide that service. We’re here for you,” said Cu.