MANILA, PHILIPPINES — More than 12,000 telecommunications infrastructure permits have been approved across the Philippines, marking progress in the government’s campaign to eliminate red tape and accelerate internet expansion.
But for Globe Telecom, the fight against bureaucratic delays is far from over.
The Ayala-backed telecommunications company is calling for faster, more consistent permit processing across local government units (LGUs), saying the pace of approvals can determine how quickly new cell sites, fiber networks and other telecommunications infrastructure reach Filipino communities.
According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), 12,241 telecommunications permits and clearances were approved across 707 cities and municipalities as of September 2026.
However, another 2,046 applications remained under processing in 94 LGUs, highlighting the work still needed to turn regulatory reforms into faster network deployment.
The development comes as Globe continues investing billions of pesos in 5G and fiber infrastructure, even while parts of the country remain underserved.
The bigger question is whether streamlining government approvals will translate into stronger signals, more reliable mobile connections and better internet access for ordinary Filipinos.
DILG REPORTS MORE THAN 12,000 TELECOM APPROVALS NATIONWIDE
In an October 8 announcement published by the Philippine Information Agency, the DILG reported significant progress in the processing of telecommunications infrastructure applications.
As of September, LGUs had approved 12,241 permits and clearances across 707 cities and municipalities.
These approvals support projects involving telecommunications towers, internet infrastructure and related facilities.
The DILG attributed the progress partly to reforms intended to simplify permit requirements and reduce administrative delays.
For telecommunications operators, obtaining the necessary approvals is an important step between planning a network project and beginning physical construction.
Even when funding and equipment are ready, infrastructure deployment can be delayed if an operator cannot secure the required permissions.
The latest figures suggest that many local governments are moving toward more efficient processing.
However, the approval of a permit is not the same as the completion of a new cell tower or fiber connection.
Construction, equipment installation, network integration and testing must still take place before customers experience improvements.
GLOBE WARNS THAT PERMITTING DELAYS CAN HOLD BACK INTERNET EXPANSION
Globe welcomed the progress but emphasized that government cooperation remains essential.
In its October 21 statement, the company said faster and more predictable approvals allow telecommunications providers to move network projects from planning into construction sooner.
Joel Agustin, Globe’s senior vice president and head of network planning and engineering, said faster permitting is important for bringing better connectivity to Filipino communities.
He also acknowledged the efforts of LGUs that have simplified their procedures.
Globe’s message is particularly relevant to communities where network expansion is more challenging.
Remote areas may require additional infrastructure, access arrangements, power connections and construction logistics.
When permit processing is slow, those challenges become more difficult.
Globe says cooperation between national agencies, local governments and telecommunications companies will be necessary to expand service in communities that remain underserved.
MORE THAN 2,000 APPLICATIONS STILL AWAIT ACTION
Despite the significant number of approvals, the DILG’s data reveal an unresolved permitting workload.
The agency reported that 94 LGUs were still processing 2,046 telecommunications infrastructure applications.
This figure adds an important dimension to the story.
While thousands of approvals demonstrate progress, pending applications show that the implementation of reforms remains uneven.
However, an application recorded as pending is not necessarily overdue.
Some may still be within their lawful processing periods.
Determining whether a particular LGU is responsible for excessive delays requires information about when an application was filed, whether it was complete and which legal processing deadline applies.
The DILG has reminded local governments to observe prescribed timelines and avoid unnecessary administrative obstacles.
Its continuing monitoring efforts will be important in determining whether the outstanding workload declines.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 32 TARGETS RED TAPE
The main policy behind the permitting reforms is Executive Order No. 32, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 4, 2023.
The order was designed to streamline the permitting process for telecommunications and internet infrastructure.
It covers qualified applications involving facilities such as shared telecommunications towers, poles, cables and other passive network infrastructure.
Under the order, agencies and LGUs must follow simplified documentary requirements.
The measure also establishes a framework for improving coordination and reducing unnecessary approvals.
Importantly, it does not abolish all regulatory requirements.
Certain projects may still need building permits, aviation-related height clearances, community permissions or specific environmental and land-use approvals.
The rules are intended to reduce redundant procedures while preserving applicable legal safeguards.
A ONE-STOP SHOP AND ZERO-BACKLOG POLICY ARE PART OF THE REFORMS
Executive Order No. 32 directs cities and municipalities to establish one-stop shops for construction-related permits.
These facilities are intended to make it easier for applicants to obtain the necessary approvals without navigating unnecessary administrative steps.
The order also calls for a zero-backlog policy covering relevant telecommunications infrastructure applications.
Under specified legal conditions, applications not acted upon within the prescribed period may be deemed approved if the applicant has submitted the required documents and paid the necessary fees.
However, deemed approval is not an unconditional exemption from regulatory compliance.
Projects must still satisfy applicable legal requirements.
The system is intended to encourage prompt government action while making approval procedures more predictable.
For telecommunications providers, greater certainty can help improve project scheduling, procurement and capital investment planning.
LGUS FACE POSSIBLE PENALTIES FOR UNLAWFUL RED TAPE
The DILG has also reminded local officials that unnecessary delays and violations of permitting requirements may carry legal consequences.
Republic Act No. 11032, known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, provides mechanisms for enforcing government service standards.
The agency has emphasized the importance of timely and transparent processing.
Its October announcement also highlighted the use of a telecommunications permit monitoring system to track LGU compliance.
However, delays must be assessed against applicable rules and the circumstances of individual applications.
Legitimate safety, environmental and land-use reviews remain important.
The goal is not to approve every proposed installation regardless of its compliance status.
It is to ensure that qualified projects are processed efficiently and fairly.
GLOBE SPENDS ₱26.3 BILLION ON NETWORK INVESTMENTS
Globe’s call for faster permits comes alongside substantial infrastructure spending.
The company reported ₱26.3 billion in capital expenditures during the first half of 2026.
Approximately 91% of that amount was allocated to data-related initiatives.
These investments reflect Globe’s continued focus on expanding and upgrading its telecommunications infrastructure.
Mobile data demand, video streaming, digital commerce, online education and cloud-based services are increasing the importance of reliable connectivity.
However, infrastructure spending does not automatically produce immediate improvements for all customers.
The benefits depend on where equipment is deployed, when projects are completed, the capacity of surrounding network systems and actual customer demand.
Faster permitting could help Globe turn planned investments into operational infrastructure more efficiently.
GLOBE DEPLOYS 878 NEW 5G SITES
During the same six-month period, Globe reported deploying 878 new 5G sites.
Fifth-generation mobile technology can support higher data capacity and improved performance when used with compatible devices and adequate network infrastructure.
The company also reported outdoor 5G population coverage exceeding 98% in Metro Manila and key cities in the Visayas and Mindanao.
This represents an important indicator of the company’s network expansion.
However, population coverage should not be confused with guaranteed high-speed internet access at every location.
A coverage estimate does not mean every household, building or indoor space receives an equally strong signal.
Actual service quality depends on factors including distance from a cell site, building materials, network congestion, available spectrum, device compatibility and backhaul capacity.
The figures also do not mean 98% of all Philippine residents have access to Globe 5G.
The reported coverage applies to the geographic markets specified by the company.
FIBER EXPANSION ADDS 80,052 HOME CONNECTION LINES
Beyond mobile network improvements, Globe reported deploying 80,052 fiber-to-the-home lines during the first half of 2026.
Fiber infrastructure is particularly important for households and businesses requiring stable, high-capacity fixed internet access.
It supports activities such as remote work, online classes, video conferences, business operations and entertainment.
Expanding fiber networks can also help meet demand for more consistent home connectivity.
However, the number of lines deployed should not be interpreted as the same number of new paying subscribers.
Infrastructure capacity and active customer subscriptions are different measurements.
Some lines may remain available for future customers, while actual service installation depends on local network readiness and commercial availability.
BUSINESSEMIRROR CONFIRMS GLOBE’S CALL FOR FASTER APPROVALS
In an October 26 report, BusinessMirror independently covered Globe’s appeal for continued permitting reforms.
The publication confirmed the DILG’s 12,241 approved permits and Globe’s first-half capital expenditure and network deployment figures.
It also highlighted Globe’s position that removing administrative delays helps providers begin construction sooner.
Separately, Context.ph reported on October 25 that slow LGU processing continues to affect telecommunications rollout despite early progress under Executive Order No. 32.
Technology publication GIZGUIDE likewise covered the permitting developments and Globe’s efforts to extend connectivity into underserved areas.
Together, the reports reinforce the importance of regulatory processing in telecommunications infrastructure development.
However, much of the company-specific information originates from Globe’s public statement.
The available reporting does not independently establish how much individual customers’ download speeds have improved as a direct result of the permit approvals.
WHY FASTER INTERNET MATTERS TO SMALL BUSINESSES
Reliable connectivity is increasingly important to the Philippine economy.
Small businesses use online platforms to accept payments, communicate with customers, manage inventory and market products.
Tourism establishments depend on internet access for reservations and customer service.
Freelancers and remote workers require stable connections for international clients.
Schools, healthcare facilities and local government offices also rely on digital services.
In communities with weak or inconsistent connectivity, these activities can become more difficult.
Additional telecommunications infrastructure may help address network capacity and coverage limitations.
However, affordability remains another concern.
Even when service becomes technically available, some households and businesses may still struggle to pay for internet plans or compatible devices.
Improving digital access therefore requires attention to both infrastructure and consumer affordability.
REMOTE COMMUNITIES REMAIN A MAJOR CHALLENGE
Reaching underserved and geographically isolated areas is one of the most difficult aspects of expanding telecommunications services.
Network providers must consider site access, electricity availability, transportation, construction expenses and expected demand.
In some locations, the cost of building and maintaining infrastructure may be substantial relative to the potential customer base.
Faster permit approvals can remove one obstacle, but they cannot eliminate every technical or commercial challenge.
Government support, infrastructure-sharing arrangements and alternative connectivity technologies may also contribute to wider coverage.
For isolated communities, the most important outcome will be whether improved permitting eventually enables practical, affordable and reliable services.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR FILIPINO MOBILE AND INTERNET USERS
For customers, the ultimate importance of the permitting reforms lies in their potential effect on everyday internet experiences.
Additional cell sites can improve network capacity and potentially address congestion in some areas.
Fiber expansion can increase the number of homes eligible for fixed broadband service.
Upgraded facilities may also support more consistent connectivity.
But improved service is not guaranteed simply because more permits have been approved.
Consumers may notice improvements only after new infrastructure is installed, activated and integrated into the network.
Likewise, better infrastructure does not automatically mean lower subscription prices.
Pricing remains influenced by competition, operating costs, investment requirements and commercial strategy.
The government’s success should therefore be measured not only through the number of approvals but also through completed projects and actual service improvements.
THE BIGGER QUESTION: WILL PERMIT REFORMS FINALLY DELIVER BETTER INTERNET?
The approval of 12,241 telecom permits is a significant administrative milestone.
It demonstrates that hundreds of local governments are processing infrastructure applications under a more streamlined regulatory framework.
Globe’s multibillion-peso network investments and continuing 5G and fiber expansion show why the reforms matter to telecommunications providers.
But the remaining 2,046 applications also illustrate that permitting efficiency remains an ongoing challenge.
The next phase will involve converting approvals into completed cell sites, fiber routes and upgraded facilities.
That progress must then translate into improvements customers can actually experience.
For Filipinos frustrated by weak mobile signals, unreliable internet connections and limited broadband options, faster paperwork is only the beginning.
The real success of the government’s permitting reforms will be judged by what happens after those approvals are issued.
And as Globe pushes for faster network deployment across the country, one question remains: Will thousands of approved telecom permits finally deliver the reliable internet Filipinos have been waiting for — or will infrastructure costs, construction delays and underserved areas remain the biggest obstacles?
