Globe Telecom in the Philippines has obtained a licence in Singapore as a facilities-based operator (FBO).

BusinessWorld Online reported yesterday that Globe’s unit in Singapore can now offer switching services to other operators and foreign businesses for connections between Singapore and Manila.

Globe has set up a new company called GlobeTel Singapore, which will launch services by the end of the year.

Globe COO Gil Genio said the operator has had a long partnership with SingTel and offers a co-branded SIM in Singapore. He said they are expanding that relationship to serve other operators and companies that want links between Singapore and the Philippines.

SingTel owns 21.5 per cent of the Philippine operator, which is the country’s second largest operator with 38 per cent share of the market.

Globe has access to multiple submarine cable systems linking Manila to Singapore –Tata Global Network-Intra Asia Cable, City to City Cable and Southeast Asia-Japan Cable.

Earlier this week, Globe said it was exploring expanding its operations within the ASEAN region, with its CEO citing Myanmar as a potential expansion target, where he believes it can get involved in areas like financial services and mobile advertising.