Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Globe Telecom introduced zero-rated mobile data access for the BPI mobile application, allowing eligible Globe and TM subscribers in the Philippines to conduct digital banking transactions without incurring mobile data charges.
Under the Globe x BPI Zero-Rating Partnership, subscribers connected directly to the Globe or TM cellular network in the country can open and use the BPI app without deducting from their active mobile data allocations or paying standard data rates. The arrangement covers core mobile banking functions on the platform, including checking balances, transferring funds and paying bills.
Coverage Exclusions and Network Restrictions
BPI specified in its advisory that the data-free benefit applies exclusively to active Globe and TM mobile network connections operating within the Philippines.
The partnership excludes three specific connectivity scenarios:
- Other telecommunications networks: Subscribers accessing the BPI app via competing Philippine mobile carriers remain subject to their respective providers’ standard data charges.
- International roaming: Customers using the application abroad through international roaming services will be billed according to their roaming data plans or applicable roaming rates.
- Satellite internet: Connections routed through satellite internet providers, including Starlink, are not covered and will consume data under the subscriber’s internet plan.
Globe Expands Zero-Cost Digital Access Through AI Fiesta
The BPI connectivity rollout coincides with broader zero-cost digital access initiatives by Globe Telecom in November 2026.
On Nov. 9, Globe announced during its quarterly media briefing, “The Blueprint by Globe: Holiday Edition,” in Taguig City that it is providing complimentary access to its AI Fiesta platform through the GlobeOne app. AI Fiesta aggregates 11 artificial intelligence tools—including models from Claude, Gemini and ByteDance—for generating text, images, videos, presentations and websites. The platform also integrates a “Super Fiesta” routing feature that selects an AI model for each prompt and a “Consensus” function that combines outputs from multiple models.
Under the holiday promotion, Globe Circle and Globe Platinum subscribers receive free access from Nov. 15, 2026, to Jan. 16, 2027, while Globe Prepaid, Postpaid, Broadband and TM customers receive complimentary access from Dec. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026. Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz said the program aims to place AI tools in the hands of customers to support learning, work and innovation.
For BPI, zero-rated telco access follows the bank’s permanent elimination of outbound transaction fees for InstaPay and PESONet electronic fund transfers on July 1, 2026. That pricing adjustment aligned with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Circular No. 1238, which mandated cost-reflective pricing frameworks for person-to-person digital payments across Philippine financial institutions. (Read More: BPI to Waive InstaPay, PESONet Fees Permanently)
Also read: BPI Pilots Stablecoin Settlement for Cross-Border Payments
This article is published on BitPinas: Globe and TM Users Can Now Use the BPI App Without Spending Mobile Data
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