Globe: Pandemic speeds up shift to digitalization

It's ironic that it took a pandemic to speed up digitalization in the Philippines.

- EMMIE V. ABADILLA

But that's exactly what happened.

Filipinos are now adopting a digital life faster due to the coronavirus scare, confirmed Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu. In many ways, the health crisis has given digital transformation a much-needed push.

Hence, “I think the cities of the future will be fully powered by digital. Filipinos are becoming more open to trying new things.

Opportunities in digital are happening and it’s something that we are also exploring,” he pointed out.

For this reason, the Globe CEO expects more companies to get into on-demand services such as taxi/ car-hailing services, online grocery shopping, door-to-door delivery, and even entertainment.

Digitalization also boosted telemedicine. People realized it's more convenient and affordable to consulting doctors within the comforts of their homes.

Globe's KonsultaMD, which helps people get 24/7 medical advice from licensed doctors without going to clinics or hospitals, registered an over 450% surge in online consultations, in May, as compared to January this year.

Furthermore, digitalization boosted contactless transactions as never before.

Apprehensive of handling physical money for fear of contracting the virus, people started going cashless when paying for goods and services.