Globe, Eastern to build $150-M cable network

GLOBE Telecom Inc. said on Thursday it has partnered with ICT solutions provider eastern Communications and digital solutions provider Infinivan to build the $150-million Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN).

The domestic fiber network aims to improve both mobile and broadband connectivity and fiberize previously unserved areas across the country’s three main island groups, according to Globe.

“We are doing this so that our customers will get equitable access to connectivity, wherever they may be in the country,” Globe business VP Arlene Jallorina said.

PDSCN has a total cable distance of roughly 2,500 kilometers or about the same distance between Manila and Singapore. It will be landing at several points across the country, including Sorsogon, Masbate, Marinduque, Camiguin, Siargao, boracay, and Zamboanga, for undersea laying in 24 segments over the next nine months.

Globe claimed that once completed, this will be the “country’s longest submarine fiber cable network.”

Segments for the submarine cable network are expected to be completed by April 2023, and fiber connections will be activated thereafter.

“Providing equitable access to mobile and internet connection in all parts of the country has been our dream, and through this cooperation, we are finally at the cusp of realizing this goal,” eastern Communications Co-coordinator Vince Tempongko said.

In February, Globe announced that it alloted P89 billion for its capital expenditures (capex) program this year.

The amount—just 4 percent lower than the P92.8-billion capex spend in 2021, an all time high for Globe—will be used to build more cell sites, upgrade existing ones, deploy 4G and 5G radios, and add more fiber lines across the country, the company said.

last year, Globe aggressively expanded its fixed line and wireless networks, building 1,407 new cell sites, upgraded over 22,300 mobile sites, installed more than 2,000 5G radios, and installed 1.4 million fiber-to-the-home lines.