Globe begins commercial deployment of massive MIMO to expand network coverage, capacities

Globe Telecom recently began a groundbreaking commercial deployment of massive MIMO technology (multiple input, multiple output) to enhance mobile internet connectivity experience of customers in high-density areas. 

The commercial deployment of the MIMO technology forms part of the company’s efforts to further improve mobile and wireless broadband internet experience of its customers by expanding on its network coverage and capacities.  

The first telecommunications operator to make use of the technology in the country, Globe undertook early this year an initial testing of the technology in Makati financial district. 

Based on initial test results, the technology improves capacity up to 6 times when compared to a regular site.

According to Joel Agustin, Globe Senior Vice President for Program Governance, Network Technical Group, the massive MIMO technology enables a mobile network to multiply the capacity of a wireless connection without requiring more antennas. The technology thus increases wireless throughput, accommodating more users at higher data rates with better reliability while consuming less power.

“The use of massive MIMO technology is an important component of our goal to stay ahead of the demand curve for data capacity in densely populated and high-foot traffic areas,” Agustin said, adding that deployment of the massive MIMO technology makes use of the 2600 megahertz frequency.

Early this month, Globe also became the first operator in the world to activate massive MIMO using 2CC carrier aggregation, which doubles LTE capacity, delivering faster internet experience to customers, Agustin said.  Compared to the 1CC (carrier component),  which is the company’s current deployment of massive MIMO, the 2CC technology uses 2 distinctly separate blocks of the 2600 MHz spectrum that is aggregated by LTE-Advanced equipment to deliver faster internet speeds. This technology can be compared to increasing the number of lanes in a highway from a single lane to 2 lanes (in the case of 2CC), thereby allowing for faster internet services, he explained.

Initial rollout covers 150 wireless broadband sites, located mostly in Southern Luzon and Northern Luzon, added Agustin. Last year, Globe gained additional spectrum assets in the 2600 MHz band following a partial acquisition of San Miguel’s telecommunication assets.