Globe Telecom’s Ernest Cu is highest ranking Filipino in Power 100

Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu is the highest ranking Filipino to make to it to the Global Telecoms Business Power 100 for 2013.

Power 100 is the magazine’s annual list of the 100 most powerful people in telecoms worldwide. Cu made it to number 66, besting another Filipino chief executive who made it to the list. Global Telecoms Business is the only magazine and website dedicated for senior executives of telecommunication companies worldwide.

“Our chosen path to position Globe as a challenger brand has been successful and our efforts are being recognized globally.  Our transformation efforts and the business gains we have achieved over the past several years despite heightened competition have created a stronger, preferred brand for our customers,” Cu said, referring to the company’s revenue and subscriber growth in recent years amid transformation initiatives involving mainly its network and IT infrastructure.

Global Telecoms Business cited Cu’s direction in leading the company while undertaking a network and IT modernization program. The publication noted that Globe Telecom has close to 40% market share in the Philippines. Cu was appointed chief executive of Globe Telecom in 2009.

At the end of the first half, Globe Telecom’s total mobile subscriber base reached a fresh record high, exceeding 36 million at the end of the June this year, driven by the success of its customizable and value-based product offerings amid rising demand for mobile browsing services.  The company’s total subscriber base of 36.1 million at the end of June this year is a 14% increase from 2012.

 Cu is also among 12 finalists for the CEO of the Year category in the 2013 World Communication Awards (WCA), one of the most important awards within the telecoms industry.  Cu ranks high together with telecom industry leaders AT&T’s Randall L. Stephenson, SK Telecom’s Sung Min Ha, Verizon’s Lowell C. McAdam, and Vodafone’s Vittorio Colao.  The winner will be decided based on the results of an industry poll, open to professionals from across the globe.

 Stephenson also heads the list of Power 100 this year while Neelie Kroes, vice president of the European Commission, who is trying to end roaming charges across the European Union and find a way to restructure the industry in Europe, is ranked number two.