PLDT completes major fiber optic cable links in Visayas, rest of PH

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – The Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) completed its fiber optic cable (FOC) network services in the island provinces of Marinduque, Romblon, Catanduanes, Masbate, Panay, Cebu, Siquijor, Bohol, Samar and Negros after the activation of the FOC links connecting the islands to the rest of the country and the world.

Mario Tamayo, head of technology at PLDT and Smart said, Fiver is the future and the company is bringing it now to more Filipinos. These submarine cable links also improve the network's resiliency by providing alternate routes for data traffic in the event of fiber breaks, so customers are always connected.

“As we connect more islands in our country with fiber, we are able to deliver the best digital experience for our 5G/LTE and FTTH customers," he added.

PLDT's fiber infrastructure, which was at 743,700 kilometers as of end-2021, also supports Smart's mobile network by providing high-capacity links for its base stations.  

This project is part of the PLDT Group’s sustained investments in their network.  Network-related initiatives made up the bulk of the ₱89 billion spend for 2021 bringing its total capex spent over the last 10 years to ₱518.5 billion.

For 2022, PLDT is expected to invest between ₱76-80 billion in demand-driven capex, Tamayo bared.

Part of PLDT's continuous efforts to expand the reach of its network across the country, the Enhanced Resiliency of DFON Loops 4 and 5 (eRDL45) project includes more than 2,000 kilometers of submarine and inland FOC links, and also aims to make the network more resilient and ready to support future services, such as 5G.

With fiber links now connecting the island provinces, homes and businesses in the areas can start enjoying fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) services via PLDT Home.  Customers of PLDT's wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) can also look forward to improved mobile data experience, especially for customers using LTE and 5G phones.

Meanwhile, with several storms coming in, PLDT and Smart have prepositioned personnel and mission-critical equipment including emergency generators in the Visayas and Mindanao as the country braces for tropical storms, its first tropical cyclone of the year.

PLDT group’s Libreng Tawag (free calls), Libreng Charging (free charging) stations are also on standby, ready to be deployed in areas that will be heavily impacted by the tropical cyclone.

PLDT urges everyone to take necessary precautions and heed the alerts and warnings of local governments and disaster response authorities. (Photos: PLDT/Google Images)