Globe pushes to make telecom restoration a national priority during disasters
Rigger technicians repair a telecommunications tower in Barangay Buenavista, Bato, Catanduanes on November 10, 2020 after a typhoon hit the province. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News MANILA — Globe Telecom has called for a national utility resiliency plan to make the restoration of telco services a priority alongside power and other essential services in the aftermath of disasters.
Globe said it raised the proposal during a GSMA mobile network resilience discussion in New Delhi, urging utility resiliency plans as severe weather strains critical infrastructure.
“When disaster strikes, connectivity becomes a lifeline. People need it to reach their families, receive emergency information, call for help, and coordinate relief efforts,” said Froilan Castelo, Globe General Counsel.
“Restoring telecommunications should therefore happen alongside power and other essential utilities, supported by a national framework that allows government and industry to move quickly and work together,” he added.
Under the proposed plan, restoration teams would receive priority access to government logistics, military and police support, and streamlined emergency permits.
The Ayala-led telco said network repairs depend on commercial power, fuel, and clear roads, creating delays beyond an operator’s control.
“We can build stronger networks, prepare our teams, and position resources ahead of severe weather, but there are dependencies that no telecommunications operator can address alone,” Castelo said.
“If power is unavailable, roads are impassable, or our teams cannot reach affected facilities, restoration becomes more difficult. A national plan can help remove these bottlenecks when every hour of connectivity matters.”
Globe said it invested P26.3 billion in capital expenditures in the first half of 2026 and deployed Starlink satellite technology following the June 2026 Mindanao earthquake.