From microwaves to fibre optics: Globe journeys towards greener network

Digital solutions platform Globe has transformed its network equipment to more energy-efficient and economical options in line with its climate action strategy.

The company recently migrated its site backhaul from utilising microwave antennas into a fully redundant fibre optic cable solution as it intensifies the shift to green technologies.

The move lessens power consumption since most long-haul microwave sites are composed of multiple big antennas and outdoor units that contribute to higher power consumption. Globe has already logged savings of 84,288 kilowatt-hours from 151 converted sites.

Aside from being more sustainable, the initiative boosts network capacity with a higher bandwidth that would support the increasing demand for data in the country. This will not only bring benefits to Globe but to the country as a whole.

Moving forward, Globe plans to expand site conversion and explore other microwave solutions and equipment that are sustainable in terms of lower power consumption and footprint.

"We are dedicated to creating a sustainable future through technology. Our conversion of microwave radio sites to fiber optic cable is a step towards reducing our carbon impact while ensuring backhaul efficiency. We are proud to be part of the global effort towards a healthier and fairer world, and are fully committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions,” said Gerhard Tan, Network Strategy and Technology Enablement Director at Globe.

Globe supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 13, which seeks urgent action against climate change and its impacts. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.

Aligned with the commitment of parent firm Ayala Corp., Globe is also a participant in the UN-backed Race to Zero global campaign rallying non-state actors to halve global emissions by 2030 and deliver a healthier, fairer zero-carbon world by 2050.

Likewise, Globe was the first publicly-listed Philippine company to commit to the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) aligned with the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.

As part of its commitment to support the disclosure recommendations by the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the company shall continue to disclose its climate action strategy and programs as it works towards achieving its committed targets.