Globe Telecom scales infrastructure to meet surging AI and cloud demand
The Philippine telco is expanding its data center footprint and submarine cable connectivity to support high-power AI workloads.
Globe Telecom is aggressively expanding its network and data center infrastructure to accommodate the rising demand for artificial intelligence workloads and cloud services. The company is pivoting its strategy to capture the enterprise AI market in the Philippines by increasing its capacity for high-density computing and regional connectivity.
Central to this expansion is Globe's partnership with ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) and Ayala Corp. Through their joint venture, STT GDC Philippines, the company currently operates seven data centers. These facilities provide a combined IT load of approximately 150 megawatts, offering the power and cooling capacity necessary for the energy-intensive requirements of modern AI applications.
Regional Connectivity Hub
To support the massive data throughput required by AI and digitalization, Globe has invested in the Candle submarine cable system. This 8,000-km network serves as a critical artery for data traffic, linking the Philippines with Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. With a total capacity of 570 terabits per second, the system positions Globe as a primary landing party and a strategic hub for data movement across the Asia-Pacific region.
The AI Infrastructure Pivot
This push comes as a response to a broader regional trend where AI-led computing is forcing telecommunications operators to overhaul their back-end networks. Unlike traditional cloud computing, AI workloads require significantly higher power density and lower latency. By integrating these capabilities into its enterprise offerings, Globe aims to provide the foundational infrastructure that local businesses need to deploy large-scale AI models.
Beyond client services, Globe is applying AI to its own internal network operations. The company is utilizing these tools to optimize energy consumption and improve the efficiency of its cell sites, reducing operational overhead while increasing network reliability.
Market Implications
Globe's strategic focus on high-capacity infrastructure signals a shift in the Philippine telco landscape from simple connectivity to providing specialized AI-ready environments. The combination of localized data center power and international cable capacity allows the company to offer a full-stack solution for enterprise digitalization.
Industry observers will be watching how this increased capacity translates into market share within the enterprise sector. While the physical infrastructure is scaling, the next phase of growth will depend on the adoption rate of AI services among Philippine corporations and the continued stability of regional data corridors.