PLDT Inc. has teamed up with US-based Ciena Corp. to deploy optical technology to improve data transmission from the Asia Direct Cable (ADC) system to local end-users in the Philippines.
The telecommunications company is utilizing Ciena’s 6500, which is powered by WaveLogic 5 Extreme (WL5e) coherent optical technology, to efficiently and reliably backhaul local traffic from global cloud providers.
“PLDT is committed to strengthening the country’s digital backbone by ensuring that the international capacity carried by the ADC system translates into world-class connectivity for users nationwide,” said PLDT and Smart senior vice president and head of enterprise business group Blums Pineda.
“With the support of Ciena’s optical technology, we can provide faster, more resilient, and more secure services, powering the Philippines’ digital economy from individual users to enterprises and hyperscalers,” said Pineda.
Ciena’s WL5e coherent optical technology enables PLDT to carry multi-terabit traffic, delivering low-latency, high-capacity connectivity from the ADC landing station to PLDT’s national backbone.
Ciena’s Navigator Network Control Suite (Navigator NCS) enhances PLDT’s network operational efficiencies by simplifying and accelerating workflows for network planning, provisioning, and assurance.
Matt Vesperman, Ciena vice president for Asia Pacific, said the Philippines is a key destination for many global cloud providers and enterprises seeking to expand their presence in Asia.
“Ciena’s market-leading optical technology provides a seamless connectivity link to advance international trade and digital transformation within the Philippines,” he said.
Through its corporate arm, PLDT Enterprise, PLDT said it continues to accelerate its digital investments. The ADC system is connected to the recently inaugurated VITRO Santa Rosa (VSR), which is the Philippines’ first artificial intelligence (AI)-ready data center, built and operated by VITRO Inc.
In 2024, Ciena’s coherent optical technology enabled VITRO’s Data Center Interconnect (DCI) solution, linking VSR to the rest of VITRO’s flagship data centers.
VITRO’s DCI provides enterprises with the ability to securely connect their racks across different VITRO sites, optimizing disaster recovery strategies and operational efficiency.
