PLDT, Inc. said on Wednesday that it is deploying additional submarine fiber links to improve connectivity in southern Luzon and some parts of Visayas.
The new fiber links will cover the provinces of Sorsogon, Quezon, Albay, and Occidental Mindoro, as well as Samar and Aklan in Visayas, the company said in an e-mailed statement.
“This project is part of the PLDT group’s sustained investments in its network. Network-related initiatives made up the bulk of the P89-billion spend for 2021. This brings total capital expenditure spent over the last 10 years to P518.5 billion,” it added.
Once completed, the project will fiber up Lubang island in Mindoro, Semirara island in Antique, and Burias in Masbate.
The project is also expected to enhance PLDT’s wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc.’s mobile services in those areas.
Moreover, it will “fortify existing aerial cables with underground inland cables, which is essential in ensuring network resiliency, particularly in typhoon-prone provinces.”
Mario G. Tamayo, head of technology at PLDT and Smart, said the group’s goal is to power hybrid workplaces, e-commerce, online banking, and distance learning even in remote areas.
“We continue to fortify our future with the upgrade and expansion of our fiber network to serve as many Filipinos as possible and enable their pivot to digital in the new normal,” he added.
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Arjay L. Balinbin
