The Philippines' Globe Telecom has announced it is on course to deploy 5G in the second quarter of 2019.
The operator is currently focused on upgrading its core, radio and transmission network to support 5G by the end of the year, and plans to start offering a 5G fixed wireless mobile broadband service in 2Q19, Globe said in a statement.
Globe executives recently visited China to meet with Huawei deputy chairman Eric Xu to discuss their 5G partnership.
Globe signed a five year contract renewal with Huawei in November 2015 involving the planning and design of an upgraded mobile broadband network and the creation of a joint mobile innovation center.
The operator started deploying massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology on its network in July last year, and has spent over 139 billion pesos since 2014 mainly on expanding and upgrading its network.
“5G will bring innovation and spur economic growth in the Philippines,” Globe chief technology and innovation officer Gil Genio said.
“From the same physical network, we will be able to support different uses with varying performance requirements, in effect looking like different networks to different types of applications, from IoT to faster broadband to mission critical information. This will spur innovation and help various industries digitally transform”.