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Philippines operator shutters mobile services in U.K., Italy and Spain on competition grounds.
Globe Telecom this week announced that it will close its mobile operations in the U.K., Italy and Spain this month.
The Philippines-based operator, which launched its first European MVNO in the U.K. almost three years ago, said it had made the decision due to "the changing competitive landscape in Europe."
In a slightly cryptic statement, the telco said it plans to close its offices in the three markets but will continue to provide international calling services under the Duo brand via existing partnerships with telecoms operators.
However, on the Websites of the three MVNOs in question – Globe UK, Globe Mobile Italy and Globe Spain – the telco confirmed that it will cease operations on 31 July. It also provided instructions to enable customers to port their numbers to an alternative provider.
The company did not provide any further information on the reasons for its decision.
It confirmed that it will retain its offices in the U.S., Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as maintaining a retail presence in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
It appears that Asia will be Globe’s primary focus going forward though.
In the same statement the telco announced the launch of GlobeTel Japan. Its office in Tokyo will enable it to better serve the needs of customers in its home market as well as those of the 180,000 Filipino expats in Japan, it said.
“We will continue to provide affordable and high-quality telecom services to our kababayans [countrymen] in Japan," said Nikko Acosta, SVP for Globe’s international business.
"We will also be adopting new business models to deliver meaningful products to overseas Filipinos," he added.
