PLDT spending P11 B for broadband upgrade
PLDT Inc. is spending P11 billion in the next two years to upgrade 1.3 million broadband subscribers by providing them with fiber-fast internet.
Marco Borlongan, PLDT first vice president and head of home business, told reporters the P11-billion investment is for the modernization program, which would enable DSL subscribers to migrate to fiber-fast connectivity for a better broadband experience.
“As you know, we’ve been around with DSL for the longest time. We have roughly 1.3 million broadband subscribers who are on our copper DSL. The program is to fiberize the 1.3 million subscribers in the next two years,” he said.
He said the modernization is being undertaken while PLDT is rolling out fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) facilities in the country.
Through PLDT’s FTTH service, subscribers are able to enjoy high-speed internet with equal upload and download speeds, as well as gain access to entertainment content from the telco and digital services provider’s partners including Cignal TV, iflix, and Netflix.
PLDT expects to expand its FTTH coverage to about four million homes by the end of this year.
As of the first semester, PLDT’s fiber facilities have passed 3.3 million homes.
In addition to the rollout of FTTH facilities, PLDT is deploying hybrid fiber technologies to allow existing customers to enjoy fiber-like speeds.
Meanwhile, PLDT’s wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. continues the rollout of Long Term Evolution (LTE) service in more parts of the country.
“By end-2018, over 90 percent of the country’s population will have Smart LTE coverage,” Oscar Reyes Jr., PLDT and Smart first vice president and head of consumer business for market development said.
“We are complementing this LTE rollout with our deployment of ultrafast Smart Wifi, which registers over 100 Mbps download and upload speed, and is now available at key airports, other transport hubs, popular food parks, bars and restaurants as part of our SMART Spots Program all over the country,” he said.
Smart has completed the LTE rollout in urban hubs such as Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, island resort Boracay, as well as the Rizal province.
The LTE rollout is currently being undertaken in Metro Manila.
Eric Alberto, PLDT and Smart executive vice president and chief revenue officer said the investments being made in fixed and wireless networks are intended to provide customers with better internet services.
“Our vision is to make high-speed internet connectivity the standard of every Filipino whether they are at home or on the go. With reliable and fast connectivity, PLDT is fully committed to revolutionize the way Filipinos experience and enjoy world-class digital services and content on their various screens – the television, personal computers, tablets, and mobile phones,” he said.