First in SEA: Globe pilots new lens antenna technology for better customer experience

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Leading digital solutions platform Globe has successfully completed pilot deployments in Southeast Asia of the first multi-beam, multi-band lens antenna technology.  The new solution provides improved 4G/LTE and 5G mobile capacity and reduces coverage holes, especially in large gatherings.

Invented by MatSing Ltd. (MatSing) and implemented by IBMS Technology Phils. Corp. (IBMS), the lens antenna easily meets capacity demands of data-heavy smartphone apps, making it ideal for outdoor events, rural areas and densely populated areas in major cities, stadiums, coliseums, rally events and symposia.  It also emits and maintains multiple beams cleanly with minimal Radio Frequency interference, deterring signal disruptions which delivers better quality of experience for customers.

Globe’s technical team recently conducted rigorous testing on-site. Initially, the team installed four antennas in two Globe cell sites in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, and one Cellsite On Wheels (COW) at the Head in the Clouds Music & Arts Festival in Manila last December. The deployment gave impressive results.

The lens antennas demonstrated superior performance compared to existing multibeam antennas in all categories.

The technology provides higher mobile download and upload data speed resulting in lag-free video streaming and gaming, high-quality video conferencing, and delay-free messaging services, even in peak hours and when there are large gatherings. Also, the solution has better indoor penetration and wider reach, resulting in more stable mobile connectivity wherever the subscribers are located.

Student Eugene Ebeleda Bacence from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro noted how internet connection during online classes has improved in his town because of the new technology.

“Ngayon ‘pag nagkaklase kami, hindi na putol-putol at nauunawaan ang tinuturo ng teacher namin,” he said in a testimonial video.

Meanwhile, Myla Novino, a front office associate at a hotel in the same town, shared how Globe service has improved at the hotel where she works after previously having issues with mobile signal.

“Nitong mga nakaraang araw hindi na siya ganon tulad dati na nawawalan ng signal. Ngayon talaga at least malakas na ‘yung signal. Mas okay siya nagagamit siya for internet, YouTube,” she said.

Select performance metrics observed on the Globe network directly attributable to lens antennas are the following: 8.36 times improved coverage with stronger and wider LTE signals, 7.92 times increased average LTE speed, 3.1 times greater traffic volume and network usage, and 2.67 times enhanced network quality and mobile data connections.

“Globe is always a pioneer in adopting new technologies for its customers. The lens antenna technology is another major milestone in Globe’s efforts to provide Filipinos with reliable and high-quality mobile connectivity. We are thrilled with the results of the pilot deployment and are excited to continue working with MatSing to bring this innovation to our network on a larger scale,” said Gerhard Tan, Head of Network Strategy and Technology Enablement at Globe.

Globe plans to deploy the solution in areas hosting major events and in key pilot sites within Visayas and Mindanao region such as Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Iloilo, Antique, Aklan, Bohol, Capiz, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, North Cotabato, and Zamboanga del Sur.

“MatSing is thankful to the Globe team for the opportunity to demonstrate the technical superiority of our patented lens antennas to deliver superior mobile connectivity for their user base,” said MatSing CEO Bo Larsson. “The extensive macro deployment proved that our lens antennas will deliver higher capacity and enhanced performance in all deployment scenarios.”

The adoption of lens antenna technology is in line with Globe’s sustainability initiatives as this solution will make the network future-proof and resilient.

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.