Globe launches ‘Tattoo Black’ LTE service

Filipino operator Globe Telecom has unveiled its new Long Term Evolution (LTE) service, ‘Tattoo Black’, at a press conference in Makati City, and says the formal launch of commercial services will take place on 28 October.

At that date, Globe intends to offer subscribers two LTE options: Tattoo Black Plan 1799 and Tattoo Black Elite 2499. The former will include a free USB dongle and offer a maximum download speed of 28Mbps, while Tattoo Black 2499 promises speeds of up to 42Mbps. Subscribers of both plans will have a dedicated hotline, priority handling in stores and a personal relationship manager to handle their accounts, the firm said. Commenting on the launch announcement, Globe-Tattoo’s head of nomadic broadband operations, Dong Ronquillo, confirmed that early adopters will be able to enjoy LTE services without a data cap until 31 January 2013.

The launch of the Tattoo Black brand coincides with an announcement from rival cellco Smart Communications that it has conducted the first mobile LTE test in the country in a demonstration held in Cebu City.