THE Philippines is now regarded as an emerging data center market, with more global technology companies looking to build digital facilities in the country to meet regional demand amid challenges, PLDT Enterprise said.

Hyperscalers or big technology organizations that have immense network, power, and space requirements “are in need of options to serve the fast-growing demand within the region,” PLDT Enterprise Asia Pacific Regional Head Jeff G. Mendoza said in an e-mailed statement on Tuesday.

“This is the time when the emerging data center markets — such as the Philippines — are anticipated to take advantage of this window of opportunity,” he added.

PLDT Enterprise said major data center hubs in Southeast Asia, especially Singapore and Hong Kong, are facing challenges nowadays.

“In Hong Kong, geopolitical risks out of the imposition of China’s National Security Law have caused hyperscalers in the West to rethink their strategy of building or expanding their server farms in the country,” it noted.

Singapore has issued a moratorium to freeze data center construction in the country due to sustainability concerns and landmass shortage.

Mr. Mendoza said the accelerated digitalization among businesses and consumers in the region is pushing hyperscalers to “step on the gas with their data center deployment plans across relevant countries.”

“The goal is to optimize subscriber experience through data server localization while enhancing network resilience in growth markets, including the Philippines,” he said.

The company also noted that some hyperscalers are building new subsea cable systems landing in the Philippines.

The initiative “highlights the importance of the country in the digital infrastructure roadmap of these tech giants,” PLDT Enterprise added.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Arjay L. Balinbin

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