PLDT starts cable laying in Siargao

Telco giant PLDT Inc. has commenced its submarine cable laying activities in the islands of Socorro and Siargao as part of efforts to boost connectivity in Mindanao.

PLDT said complementary inland fiber cable installations are also happening in the towns of Santa Monica and Del Carmen in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte.

It said fiber cable deployments in other Siargao towns and the Dinagat Islands would soon follow.

“The deployment of fiber in the island of Siargao is part of our long-standing commitment to connect our country’s islands and provide quality connectivity to more Filipinos, as data and connectivity become increasingly integral to our post-pandemic next normal,” PLDT head of technology Mario Tamayo said.

PLDT said fiber presence in Siargao Island would eventually enable the company to offer fiber-to-the-home services in the island, supporting the internet needs of homes, resorts and businesses. This will also enhance Smart Communications Inc.’s mobile network services in the island, particularly for LTE and 5G, it said.

PLDT said fiber connectivity is likewise seen to boost the island’s bid to support other industries, such as IT and business process outsourcing, as the island continues to recover from the effects of Typhoon Odette late last year.

“In addition to ensuring that our countrymen have access to fast and reliable home and mobile services powered by fiber connectivity to enable hybrid workplaces, remote learning and e-commerce even in islands like Siargao, this project will also enhance the resiliency of our network by providing alternate routes for data traffic, making sure our customers are always connected,” Tamayo said.