Globe 5G Expansion 2026: 716 New Sites, Wider Coverage

If you have wondered why your phone shows 5G in one area and 4G in another, you are not alone. Coverage depends on where towers are built, what your phone supports, and whether your SIM is ready for 5G. In the first nine months of 2026, Globe added 716 new 5G sites, expanding where 5G is available.

This guide explains what that expansion means, what the coverage numbers say, whether registration affects 5G, and how to check if your SIM, phone, and area support 5G.

What Globe Built in Nine Months

In the first nine months of 2026, Globe added 716 new 5G sites. A site means a location where 5G equipment has been installed to serve the surrounding area. Adding 716 sites in nine months is a steady build-out, not a single launch in one city. It means more neighborhoods, business areas, and travel routes now have 5G where they may have had only 4G.

Expansion matters because 5G is about capacity, not just speed. In busy areas, a new site can reduce congestion and keep connections stable. A new site does not mean every street gets the same signal. Buildings, hills, distance, and walls all affect coverage. That is why Globe reports outdoor coverage separately.

What the Coverage Numbers Mean

Globe reported two outdoor coverage figures for 5G:

• 97.67% outdoor coverage in the National Capital Region (NCR). Across the NCR, outdoor 5G coverage is very extensive. In most outdoor locations in Metro Manila, a 5G-capable phone with a 5G-ready SIM should find a 5G signal.
• 92.06% outdoor coverage in key cities in Visayas and Mindanao. In the key cities measured in those regions, outdoor 5G coverage is also extensive, though slightly lower than in the NCR. It does not mean every town in Visayas or Mindanao has the same level. It means the key cities measured have strong outdoor coverage.

These are outdoor figures. They do not guarantee 5G indoors or in rural areas far from a site. Coverage improves as new sites are added.

Does SIM Registration Affect 5G?

Registration itself does not turn 5G on or off. However, registration affects whether your SIM works at all, and a working SIM is required to use any network, including 5G.

Under the SIM Registration Act, Republic Act No. 11934, new SIMs must be registered before activation. If your SIM is not registered, it will not be activated, so you will not get calls, texts, data, or 5G. Tourist SIMs are valid for 30 days. There is no fixed deadline for new SIMs in 2026 as a single cutoff date for everyone, but you cannot use a new SIM until it is registered.

If your SIM is already registered and working, registration is not the reason you are not seeing 5G. The reason is more likely one of the three checks below: your phone, your SIM, or your area.

Registration does not change your plan. If your plan does not include 5G data, you may see a 5G icon but fall back to 4G. Check your plan in GlobeOne if unsure.

How to Check SIM, Phone, and Area

Use these three checks in order.

1. Check Your SIM

Most modern Globe SIMs are 5G-ready, but older SIMs may not be.

1. Check SIM age. If you bought your SIM recently and registered it on the official portal, it is likely 5G-ready. If your SIM is very old, ask Globe whether you need an upgrade.
2. Confirm registration. Check status on the official portal at new.globe.com.ph/simreg or in the GlobeOne app. If it shows registered, your SIM is active.
3. If you need a new SIM, register it correctly. Use your own valid ID and accurate details. Do not use a SIM registered to someone else.

2. Check Your Phone

Your phone must support 5G, and 5G must be turned on.

1. Check model. Look up your model in official specifications or settings. If it does not list 5G, it cannot connect to 5G even in a 5G area. It will use 4G.
2. Turn on 5G. On many phones, you can choose 5G, 4G, or automatic. Set it to 5G or 5G/4G automatic. If set to 4G only, you will not see 5G.
3. Update software. Updates can improve how your phone connects to 5G. Keep OS and carrier settings updated.
4. Restart after changing settings, so your phone searches for the best network again.

3. Check Your Area

Even with a 5G-ready SIM and phone, you need to be in a coverage area.

1. Test outdoors first. Go outside, away from thick concrete walls, and check signal. Outdoor coverage is higher than indoor.
2. Compare with another 5G phone. If another person with a 5G phone and Globe SIM gets 5G in the same spot and you do not, the issue is likely your phone or SIM. If neither gets 5G, the area may not have strong 5G yet.
3. Check official coverage info. Use the official Globe website or GlobeOne app for guidance. Do not rely on a screenshot shared in a chat group, because coverage changes as new sites are added.

If you checked all three and still see no 5G, contact Globe through 211 from your Globe mobile or visit a Globe store with your phone and SIM.

Tips for a Better 5G Experience

Once you confirmed your SIM, phone, and area support 5G, these habits help:

• Keep 5G on automatic. Let your phone choose between 5G and 4G.
• Use Wi-Fi indoors if indoor 5G is weak.
• Monitor data use in GlobeOne, since faster speeds can use data faster.
• Keep registration details accurate to prove ownership and avoid interruptions.
• Do not tap speed-test links sent by text. Open a trusted app yourself.

5G does not make a scam link safer. Never tap suspicious links, never share your OTP, and report scam texts through the Stop Spam portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Globe add 716 new 5G sites in 2026?

Yes. Globe added 716 new 5G sites in the first nine months of 2026. That build-out supports the outdoor coverage figures for NCR and key cities in Visayas and Mindanao.

What is Globe’s 5G outdoor coverage?

Globe reported 97.67% outdoor coverage in NCR and 92.06% in key cities in Visayas and Mindanao. These are outdoor figures for areas measured. Indoor coverage can be lower, and areas outside key cities may vary.

Do I need to register again to get 5G?

No. If your SIM is already registered and working, you do not need to re-register just for 5G. Registration is required before activation for new SIMs, but it does not itself turn 5G on. Check phone, SIM, and area instead.

Why do I see 5G outside but 4G inside?

That is normal. Outdoor coverage is higher than indoor. Concrete walls, metal, and distance reduce indoor signal. Try moving near a window or using Wi-Fi indoors.

Conclusion

Globe’s 5G expansion — 716 new sites, 97.67% outdoor coverage in NCR, and 92.06% in key Visayas and Mindanao cities — means more users can get 5G outdoors. It does not mean every indoor spot has the same signal. Check the basics: registered SIM, 5G-capable phone with 5G on, and coverage area. Use it safely: never share OTPs and report scam texts.

Disclaimer: globesimreg.ph is an independent guide and is not the official Globe website. For SIM registration or account actions, use only the official portal at new.globe.com.ph/simreg or the official GlobeOne app.