Globe’s mobile data business up by 23%

(Shanice Garcia / PCI)

MANILA — After reporting a double-digit growth in mobile browsing and data revenues, Globe Telecom (Globe) on Wednesday said that its mobile browsing and other data revenues reached Php 14.3 billion, up 23 percent from Php 11.6 billion in the previous year.

The telco said that these results accounted for 18 percent of total mobile service revenues and posting higher revenue contributions to overall mobile business.

Globe President and chief executive Ernest Cu cited data and content as some of the major trends that would define mobile usage this year.

Cu said that content through on-demand services would be king while rich media content such as video and music streaming would define the use of mobile, either through smartphones or tablets.

“The Internet of Things will also dominate the lifestyle of many,” the Globe chief said.

“This encompasses multiple aspects of everyday living, such as mobile commerce, mobile advertising, health monitoring through wearables, GPS-controlled mobility, and machine-to-machine connectivity, among others,” he said.

New partnerships

Globe has partnered with HOOQ, a start-up joint venture between Singtel, Sony Pictures Television, and Warner Bros. Entertainment, to become the first telecom company in Asia to offer a video-on-demand service available across multiple devices.

According to Peter Bithos, HOOQ chief executive and former Globe Telecom chief operating advisor, the Philippines is the perfect place to offer the service since Filipinos have a dual love of local and Hollywood content.

“Our partnership with Globe Telecom helps us bring Philippine customers a premium video service and new form of entertainment that combines the best of Hollywood, Asian and Philippine video content across all devices,” Bithos said.

With HOOQ, Globe customers get online streaming access and an offline viewing option to top Hollywood and Filipino movie and television content via computers, smartphones, and tablets.

Over 10,000 movies and television episodes and TV shows are available in HOOQ’s extensive media library.

Local film and TV content will also be available through partnerships with the country’s top studios, such as GMA Network, Viva Communications, Regal Entertainment, and ABS-CBN.

The service will soon be available to Globe customers on a plan-based service for Php 199 per month for access to thousands of movies and TV shows.

It will also be offered as a bundled service with the telco’s GoSURF and Tattoo broadband plans.