PLDT Inc. has expanded the reach of its fiber-to-the-home business by bringing its services to Island Garden City of Samal, the company said on Wednesday.
George Carmelo Clemente, VisMin head for PLDT Home sales, said in a statement that the launch of PLDT Home Fiber in the southern city “marks a momentous occasion, as we bring fast and reliable internet connectivity to the island — enabling entertainment needs of residents and tourists alike, and powering hybrid workplaces.”
PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. have committed to expand and enhance their integrated fixed-mobile network. The companies said this goal is in line with the government’s target to advance digitalization in the Philippines.
The company said its rollout in Samal is expected to boost the mobile network services of Smart in the area.
In a separate press release, PLDT and Smart said they are exploring cybersecurity tools to help block network domains containing and publishing child abuse materials.
“Tests have shown that we can alienate from the network websites that store, publish and stream child sexual exploitation materials or CSEM. Because the project is scalable, the more countries we bring into the Global Chain of Trust (GCOT), the safer it will be for internet users,” said Angel T. Redoble, first vice-president and chief information security officer of PLDT and Smart.
The parties said they are testing the GCOT, which it described as a cooperative cybersecurity project aiming to block the spread of any child abuse materials.
The companies said they have been tapping innovative collaborative approaches to address online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
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. — Ashley Erika O. Jose
