Globe Telecom backs network-ready building rules in the Philippines

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Globe backs network-ready rules

Highlights

Globe Telecom supports Senate Bill No. 2159, which requires inclusion of information and communication technology facilities in new building designs in the Philippines.
Early integration of telecom infrastructure in property development can reduce redesign and retrofitting costs for developers and allow for future digital upgrades.
With internet usage projected to reach 98 million people and 81.9% penetration by end-2025, digital connectivity requirements are critical for new residential and commercial properties.

Proposed building code changes and telecom planning

As reported by BusinessWorld Online, Globe Telecom, Inc. is supporting the inclusion of network requirements in property development plans as the Philippines reviews its construction policies. The company says early coordination among developers, architects and technical teams can prevent delays and avoid complications when connectivity facilities are installed after a building is already completed.

Globe President and Chief Executive Officer Carlo Raymond R. Cruz says telecom considerations should be discussed while plans are still being shaped so requirements can be built in from the start with enough flexibility for future changes. The company adds that network needs may become harder to accommodate once designs are finalized or construction is already underway.

The push comes as lawmakers seek to update national building regulations through Senate Bill No. 2159, or the New Philippine Building Act. The measure aims to replace Presidential Decree No. 1096, the current National Building Code of the Philippines, which has been in effect since 1977.

Under the proposed bill, structures must include information and communication technology facilities and in-building digital infrastructure in their design when feasible. Globe says the proposals include fiber-ready facilities and in-building connectivity solutions so properties can support telecommunications services once they become operational.

Costs, digital demand and sector impact

For property developers, earlier provision for telecom infrastructure could lower redesign and retrofitting costs that often arise when connectivity systems are added late in the construction process. Globe says integrating network requirements into development plans would also help properties adapt to future technologies and rising demand for digital services.

The proposal reflects the growing importance of digital access in residential, commercial and mixed-use developments across the country. DataReportal says about 98 million people are using the internet nationwide at the end of 2025, with online penetration at 81.9%, underscoring the scale of connectivity demand that new buildings may need to accommodate.

In our earlier report on Philippine e-commerce payment trends, we noted that cash-on-delivery still makes up a sizable share of online purchases despite rapid growth in QR-code and bank-transfer payments. The article highlighted the uneven pace of digital adoption, with many shoppers abandoning checkouts if their preferred payment method isn’t available and merchants facing rising pressure to modernize payment infrastructure while managing fraud risks.

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