Telecommunications firm Globe is calling for a shift toward technology-neutral policies that would allow multiple connectivity systems to operate under uniform standards on reliability, security, consumer protection, and fair competition.
The company said expanding digital access in the Philippines requires coordinated development among mobile networks, fiber infrastructure, submarine cables, and satellite systems, which it described as complementary components of a broader connectivity ecosystem.
Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz said no single platform is sufficient to achieve nationwide digital inclusion.
“No single technology can connect a nation,” Cruz said.
He added that the core challenge is ensuring consistent access rather than determining which technology dominates, noting that different systems play distinct roles in building resilient connectivity across the country.
Connectivity, the company said, has effectively become essential infrastructure, supporting services such as education, healthcare, financial systems, government transactions, and emergency response.
Mobile networks, fiber lines, and submarine cables remain the backbone of the country’s digital architecture, providing capacity and stability for nationwide demand. These are now being increasingly supplemented by satellite technology, particularly in geographically isolated and disaster-prone areas where traditional infrastructure is limited.
Satellite systems are being positioned as a complementary layer rather than a competing technology, with integration efforts underway to support expanded coverage and resilience, including satellite-enabled mobile services.
The company noted that satellite connectivity has already been deployed in emergency response operations in Mindanao, providing temporary communications support during network restoration efforts.
Globe said the Philippines is particularly suited for a multi-technology connectivity model due to its archipelagic geography, which makes single-infrastructure solutions insufficient for universal coverage.
The approach, it added, aims to close connectivity gaps, strengthen network resilience, and expand digital access to underserved communities nationwide.