Globe’s Mobile Biz Hauls In P83B Revenues

In the wake of high demand for mobile data, Globe Telecom Inc. posted 3% growth year-on-year in its mobile business, hauling in P83.2 billion revenues as of end of September, 2023, the company disclosed today.

The telco’s total mobile revenues now constitute 69% of the overall consolidated service revenues, with a mobile customer base of 54.7 million, post-SIM registration as of the first nine months of the year.


Overall, mobile data reached a record high of P67 billion for the first nine months of 2023, a 7% increase from P62.5 billion a year ago.

The surge in mobile data traffic to 4,360 petabytes was fueled by consumption of video and social media content.

Currently, mobile data comprises 81% of Globe’s total mobile revenues, a climb from 78% in the previous year.

Globe also registered an increase in its Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) for mobile, within the Prepaid and TM brands, following the SIM registration mandate.

This government requirement led to the deactivation of about 30 million SIMs, predominantly consisting of inactive users.


The refined ARPU now more accurately reflects the higher quality of the company’s subscriber base.


“We are now seeing higher quality acquisitions who are genuine intenders seeking to use our services for extended durations,” says Darius Delgado, Head of Consumer Mobile Business.

“This is evident in the increased reload and activity rates of new acquisitions compared to the period before the SIM registration initiative,” he noted.

“While we maintain confidentiality over specific numbers, it’s clear that our current acquisitions are maintaining levels similar to those seen prior to the implementation of SIM registration.”


Globe Postpaid ARPU remained stable at ₱846 for the third quarter.

Globe Prepaid and TM brands posted substantial increases of 25% and 28%, respectively.

CALAX Silang Aguinaldo Serves Over 10K Motorists

in less than a month, MPCALA Holdings Inc., the concessionaire of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), more than doubled its targeted daily traffic for Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange, which now serves over 11,000 vehicles per day.

This 4km segment of CALAX, which directly connects to Aguinaldo Highway, transports motorists towards tourist destinations in Tagaytay, Silang, Dasmarinas, and nearby cities and municipalities in Cavite.

Meanwhile, construction of the remaining portion of the CALAX Cavite Segment continues in full swing.

The next interchange will be a 7.9km 2×2 lane expressway that will extend from Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange to Governor’s Drive in General Trias.

Todate, more than 95% of the right-of-way for this segment has already been acquired, and the team has already begun earthworks and bridge construction.

“Governor’s Drive will be the second-longest segment of CALAX, spanning almost 8km in length,” says Raul L. Ignacio, President, and General Manager of MPCALA.

“We target to open it to the motoring public before the end of 2024. Through this interchange, we aspire to revolutionize our motorist travel experience, by connecting communities and helping improve the economy of the region,” he noted.

Ultimately, CALAX will reach a total length of 45 kilometers by 2025, featuring eight interchanges: Technopark, Laguna Boulevard, Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road, Silang East, Silang (Aguinaldo), Governor’s Drive, Open Canal, and Kawit Interchange.

CALAX will connect with the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) in Kawit, further unifying key regions.

Presently, operational segments span from Mamplasan Rotunda up to the Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange.

MPCALA, a Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) subsidiary, is a leading mobility infrastructure and solutions provider in the Philippines.

As the toll road development arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), MPTC’s portfolio includes the concession rights for North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), NLEX Connector Road, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in Cebu, in addition to CALAX and CAVITEX.

SMC & Ayala to Link Arca South w/ Skyway Stage 4

(L-R) ALI Senior Project Development Head Mayi Rodriguez, President and CEO Meean Dy, Vice Chairman Cezar “Bong” Consing and Senior Vice President Mariana Zobel with SMC President and CEO Ramon Ang, Deputy CFO and Head of Treasury Joseph Pineda, and SMC Infrastructure CFO Raoul Romulo.

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) have signed an Integration Agreement to link the Arca South on and off ramps into the Skyway system via the upcoming South East Metro Manila Expressway (SEMME), or Skyway Stage 4 project, with construction to start next year.

The move addresses the need for efficient transportation and connectivity in Metro Manila.

SMC Infrastructure is the concessionaire for the 32.66-kilometer Skyway Stage 4 connecting the Skyway system at the Arca South all the way to Batasan Complex in Quezon City.

The expressway will provide an alternate route from the South to the Eastern parts of Metro Manila, including Rizal province.

With interchanges at Ortigas Avenue Extension, Marcos Highway, and Tumana Bridge towards the Batasan complex, it will ease traffic congestion on major arteries such as EDSA and C5, and enhance connectivity throughout Metro Manila’s Eastern corridor.

The SMC-ALI partnership will also enhance future connectivity to other major infrastructure projects planned within Arca South, including the Taguig Integrated Terminal Exchange (Taguig-ITX), North-South Commuter Railway, and Metro Manila Subway Project.

Arca South, launched by ALI in 2014, is a 74-hectare mixed-use master-planned development serving as a central business district, with six residential projects, commercial lots, and various components such as Ayala Malls Arca South, Landers, a football field, plus an events area.

“This collaboration will improve connectivity, benefiting not only the Arca South community but various stakeholders in Taguig as well,” says Cezar Consing, Ayala Land vice chairman.

“This also supports the vision for Arca South to create more jobs, new business opportunities, and deliver more residential and lifestyle options for Filipinos while dispersing economic growth and easing traffic congestion,” stressed SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang.

“This partnership shows that when major companies work together, the potential for driving positive change is immense,” he pointed out.

“By combining our resources and expertise, we will be doing more than just building infrastructure. We will pave the way towards a more connected Metro Manila, where people have a better chance to thrive, prosper, and enhance their quality of life,” Ang concluded.

Largest boxship docks at ICTSI South Pacific, PNG

Inaugural call of KOTA GABUNG at South Pacific International Container Terminal

South Pacific International Container Terminal (SPICT) and Motukea International Terminal (MIT), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) operations in the ports of Lae and Motukea, recently welcomed the largest boxship to ever dock in Papua, New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.

The 2,754-TEU gearless ship KOTA GABUNG made its inaugural call in Lae on 12 November and in Motukea, adjacent to Port Moresby, on 17 November.

The ship is operated by Mariana Express Line Ltd. as part of the North Asia Express (NAX) service, which is a vessel sharing agreement with Swire Shipping Line.

The NAX service connects Eastern and Southern China main ports to Papua New Guinea and Northern Australia.

“This milestone highlights the growing confidence in ICTSI South Pacific terminals for delivering best-in-class service,” says Robert Maxwell, ICTSI South Pacific chief executive officer.

“It is aligned with our recent strong investment in pursuit of our vision of making our facilities the most modern and efficient port terminals in the Pacific Islands region,” he explained.

SPICT is now equipped with two post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes, which can service up to 6,000-TEU vessels.

The cranes are the first of their kind and currently the largest port equipment in Papua New Guinea.

Additionally, MIT has doubled its waterside capability this year by adding another mobile harbor crane to ensure safer and faster turnaround of ships.

“We appreciate Mariana Express Line Ltd., a subsidiary of Pacific International Lines (PIL), for the trust in us to ensure the success of this gearless vessel addition to PNG trade. We are looking forward to seeing more gearless vessels being deployed in the future,” Maxwell added.

GCash Expands Global Service

Users of mobile wallet GCash can now make cashless transactions with over 80 million merchants across 200 countries, through its partnership with Visa.

Customers can order the new GCash Card via the app and pay with GCash in establishments that accept Alipay+ by either scanning their QR codes or generating a code.

GCash debuted its stronger international services recently at the Singapore Fintech Festival 2023.

In a panel discussion of the annual gathering, GCash president and CEO Martha Sazon unveiled a new feature in the app where users can view real-time foreign exchange rates in select countries, such as Singapore, Japan, and the USA.

“Through GCash services, Filipino travelers as well as those who live and work overseas can enjoy the same benefits as those who own credit cards and bank accounts,” she explained.


Through its partner, global payments giant Alipay+, travelers can use the e-wallet for cashless transactions in 17 countries such as Singapore, Japan, and the USA.

Overseas users can sign up for GCash using international mobile numbers in six countries, from the USA and Italy to Japan.

On top of its international expansion, the fintech company has begun beefing up its services for enterprise customers.

“To transform the nation, we start playing in the B2B space,” Sazon noted. “We can’t just be one of the players, we need to address the pain points and the friction that’s in the B2B space to make it a more meaningful play for us.”

Aside from providing digital financial tools for enterprise clients, GCash also offers partner marketing solutions to businesses, both big and small, leveraging the app’s reach.

Globe: Access to Gov’t Database Needed Versus Fraud

Access to the government’s official ID database is crucial for telcos to validate IDs submitted for SIM registration, Globe Telecom Inc. urged today.

Already, Globe has started testing new technology to validate photo ID submissions for SIM registration in collaboration with relevant government agencies.

While working to improve the tech, Globe renewed its call on the government to allow telcos to cross reference IDs submitted for SIM registration with information on the official databases of ID-issuing agencies.

Globe also looks forward to working with the government in integrating Globe’s SIM Registration system in the government superapp egov.ph to use this platform for ID verification.

“As much as we endeavor to enhance our verification process for SIM registration, the system will remain vulnerable if we have no official data whereby we could cross-reference submissions,” according to Globe Group General Counsel Atty. Froilan Castelo.

“That’s why our hope is that the government will allow telcos to verify information with their data,” he stressed.

“Logically, without access to official government data, we’ll have no verified data through which we could confirm ID submissions. We won’t be able to tell what’s real or fake when we have no visibility on the verified data,” Castelo added.

While working around this gap, Globe is proactively addressing the challenges of SIM registration as it tries out new technologies to validate photo submissions to upgrade its registration platform.

Fake IDs were going through telcos’ SIM registration platforms according to news reports.

“We are constantly working with the technical group comprised of representatives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the other telcos dealing with this. And so far, we have already taken steps to test solutions that will retroactively and prospectively identify fake documents and further clean up our SIM registration database,” Castelo maintained.

“We are committed to continuing to invest in ID validation systems, but we need to work hand-in-hand with relevant government agencies to make the entire system work,” he added.

The mandatory submission of a valid ID for SIM registration emerged as a critical step in validating the identities of SIM users, serving as a robust measure to curb the spread of scams and thwart fraudulent activities.

AirAsia PH to fly 350k pax next month

AirAsia Philippines expects to fly 350,000 guests this December and remains confident that bookings will continue to surge despite the Civil Aeronautics Board’s (CAB) decision to retain the Fuel Surcharge at Level 7 next month.

A Level 7 fuel surcharge will mean that passengers traveling next month will be charged a fuel surcharge between P219 to P708 for domestic flights and from P722.71 to P1,124.26 for international flights, depending on the distance.

“While fuel prices remain volatile, AirAsia will stay committed to offering best value deals not only for flights but also for hotels, rides and other products offered via airasia Move (formerly airasia Superapp),” according to Country Head for Communications and Public Affairs, First Officer Steve Dailisan.

The budget airline is cushioning the effect of fuel prices though the offering of promos such as the Go Go Go Holideals which offers PHP 91 one-way base fare for domestic and international flights booked until 26 November for travels until 30 April 2024.

Philippines AirAsia, Inc. (PAA) doing business as (dba) AirAsia Philippines (with flight code Z2) flies to a total of 13 domestic and 13 international destinations as of July 2023.

It was officially launched as the fourth Airline Operations Center (AOC) of the AirAsia group in 2012.

PAL Adds Manila-Toronto Flights

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is adding a third weekly nonstop flight on its Manila – Toronto route starting April 5, 2024.

This will boost the flag carrier’s capacity by 50% to meet growing travel demand to and from the Canadian East Coast region.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and home to over 350,000 Filipinos.

Toronto is the gateway to Ontario, Quebec, the Maritimes and other areas in the Eastern seaboard of Canada.

PAL is the only airline offering nonstop flights between the Philippines and Canada.

The flag carrier also serves Vancouver with daily flights from its Manila hub.

Other points across Canada such as Edmonton, Winnipeg and Calgary are served via PAL’s codeshare partner WestJet.

PAL operates the Toronto services with the new-generation Airbus A350-900, a long-range jetliner that accommodates 295 passengers across a tri-class layout with 30 passengers in Business Class, 24 in Premium Economy, and 241 in Economy.

From April 5, 2024 onwards, PR118 will fly Manila – Toronto (Wed/Fri/Sun), departing Manila at 04:35 PM and arrives in Toronto at 08:00 PM (same day).

PR119 Toronto – Manila (Wed/Fri/Sun), departs Toronto 11:30 PM and arrives in Manila at 3:45 AM (+2 days).

(PAL’s current twice-weekly service departs every Wednesday and Sunday from Manila and Toronto).

The early morning arrivals in Manila connect seamlessly to PAL’s network in the Philippines, Southeast Asia, North Asia and China.

“Our expansion of flights to Toronto highlights the importance of the Canadian market in the PAL network,” says Chief Commercial Officer Eric David Anderson.

“We want to make it easier for businesses to establish commercial relations, for Canadians to plan holiday trips to the Philippines, and for Filipino Canadians to visit their families back in the homeland.”

Canada is among the top ten sources of foreign tourists to the Philippines, with more than 180,000 Canadians visiting the Philippines during the first ten months of 2023.

“The new frequencies will bolster connectivity between Southeast Asia and Canada via PAL’s Manila hub.”

“The additional flights will allow more opportunities for over one million Filipino Canadians to visit home in a convenient manner,” says Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita Austria.

“At the same time, this will also serve the growing number of Filipino international students coming to Canada, as well as the Filipino tourists who benefit from Canada’s electronic travel authorization.”

Furthermore, “With this additional flight, more passengers will be able to fly directly, reducing their total travel time by more than 25% compared to a connecting itinerary,” noted Khalil Lamrabet, Chief Commercial Officer, Greater Toronto Airports Authority.

Canada recently included the Philippines in the electronic travel authorization (eTA) program, allowing Philippine passport holders to travel to Canada visa-free provided they hold a valid U.S. Visa or have been issued a Canadian tourist visa in the last 10 years.

Canada has recently opened its borders to more immigrants, workers, and students and has seen steady growth of Filipinos in both Toronto and Vancouver.

Globe hauls P40.7B revenues for 3Q

Globe Telecom Inc. hauled in P40.7 billion revenues for the third-quarter of this year, driven by its robust performance in mobile and high Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA).

EBITDA rose to P20.2 billion from July to September, maintaining a 50% margin that aligns with Globe’s guidance.

“The consistent rise in our consolidated service revenues indicates the strength and flexibility of our business model, even in demanding economic circumstances,” says Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu.

“Our third quarter results demonstrate that our telco business is performing in line with our expectations.”

Globe’s nine-month performance report showed a 3% year-on-year increase in consolidated service revenues, totaling P121.1 billion despite macroeconomic challenges.

The Globe Group’s consolidated EBITDA for the first nine months hit P60.7 billion, another all-time high.

The EBITDA margin stood at 50%, reflecting a disciplined approach to growth and expenditure.

Data revenues remain a stronghold for Globe, accounting for 82% of the top-line revenues, generating P99.6 billion from January to September.

The mobile business grew to P83.2 billion while corporate data business also saw an 8% surge, reaching P13.6 billion, due to a 20% increase in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services.

“As we continue to navigate the post-pandemic landscape, we remain committed to providing value-driven, quality service to our customers, and we are optimistic about the opportunities ahead,” Cu concluded.

PAL Codeshares With SIA For 6 European Cities

Over the coming weeks, Philippine Airlines (PAL) will be able to fly passengers to Copenhagen, Milan, Paris, Rome, Frankfurt and Zurich via its codeshare flights with Singapore Airlines (SIA).

PAL and SIA just signed a new codeshare partnership agreement to enhance flight options for their customers travelling between the Philippines and Singapore, as well as to other domestic and international destinations via their respective hubs. 

The codeshare agreement will start on SIA’s and PAL’s flights between Singapore and Manila, the Philippines, by the fourth quarter of 2023, subject to regulatory approvals.

SIA will also codeshare on PAL’s flights from Manila to 27 destinations within the Philippines, while PAL will codeshare on SIA’s flights to six destinations in Europe – Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Milan, Paris, Rome, and Zurich.  

These European codeshare sectors will be rolled out progressively across PAL and SIA sales channels, including philippineairlines.com and singaporeair.com, as well as travel agents over the coming weeks.  

The codeshare services to Copenhagen and Milan will represent a historical milestone – the first-ever air links to the Danish capital and the Italian commercial hub by a Philippine carrier.

PAL is making a comeback, albeit through codeshare services, to Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, and Zurich, which were previously served by the Philippine flag carrier in the 1980s and 1990s.    

Both airlines will also explore an expansion of the codeshare agreement to include SIA’s flights to additional points in Europe, as well as destinations in Australia, India, New Zealand, and South Africa. 

“The partnership is the product of a strengthened relationship with our fellow ASEAN mainline carrier, Singapore Airlines, and an enduring commitment to expanding our presence in Singapore, a top PAL destination that we have been serving for 58 years,” remarked Captain Stanley K. Ng, PAL President and Chief Operating Officer.