GLOBE TELECOM, Inc. on Thursday launched its first fifth-generation (5G) network-enabled smart phone, the Huawei Mate 30 Pro, as it aims to expand further its network this year to meet the continuing strong demand for data.

鈥淭oday, the company announced the release of Huawei Mate 30 Pro, the first 5G-ready device for its Platinum customers,鈥 Globe said in a statement on Thursday.

Globe said that for this year, it is targeting to transform areas within major central business districts 鈥渢o 5G mobile-capable sites.鈥

鈥淎mid competitive pressures and rising challenges in the operating environment, Globe continues to fulfill its long-term commitment to provide the Philippines with first-world internet connectivity,鈥 said Ernest L. Cu, Globe president and chief executive officer.

Citing Digital 2020: Global Digital Overview report by We Are Social, Globe said: 鈥淭he Philippines has the highest average time spent on the Internet with nine hours and 45 minutes.鈥

It noted that the Philippines also 鈥渞anked first in daily time spent on social media with an average of 3 hours and 53 minutes.鈥

Globe has reported that it posted a 20% growth in its consolidated net earnings in 2019 to P22.3 billion, backed by higher revenues from customers鈥 data consumption. 鈥 Arjay L. Balinbin