Globe Telecom Inc. and Eastern Communications expanded their footprint in the Visayas and Mindanao through the $150-million Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network, a joint undertaking with partner InfiniVAN Inc.
The Philippines’ longest domestic submarine fiber cable project landed on the shores of Siargao to deliver faster and reliable connectivity on the island as it recovers in the wake of Typhoon Odette and the prolonged pandemic.
Siargao is one of the landing points of PDSCN—a $150-million project that aims to improve both mobile and broadband connectivity and fiberize previously unserved areas across the country’s three main island groups.
Once fully rolled out, the cable would help improve connectivity on the island.
Rene Martin Go, senior director for transport engineering and optimization at Globe, said fiber connectivity would help Siargao communities recover faster from the impact of Typhoon Odette. Siargao was one of the areas hardest hit by the super typhoon in December 2021.
“We all saw how Super Typhoon Odette severely affected Siargao. We believe fiber connectivity will help the community recover faster. Through improving the island’s communication infrastructure, our project will help boost businesses, support connectivity needs for school and work, and provide a better-connected environment that is conducive to tourism,” said Go.
“Connecting islands, small or big, across the Philippine archipelago, will bring positive outcomes in improving the lives of the residents of Siargao in particular,” said Delfin Lopez, head of network planning, engineering and implementation division at Eastern Communications.
Alberto Espedido, InfiniVAN chief technology officer, said the project is very timely as many people are still doing a lot of their tasks remotely, including working from home.
“Working remotely is elevated further because now people can even work from paradise. We all know Siargao is a hub for digital nomads from around the world. This particular PDSCN does not only connect the major islands of the country but also connects several tourist islands, including Siargao,” he said.
PDSCN covers a total cable distance of roughly 2,500 kilometers or about the same distance between Manila and Singapore.
The joint venture sent off the state-of-the-art ship Cable Infinity of Japanese vendor Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd. in August to ferry the cables manufactured by fiber optic cable maker Nexans S.A. The cables are made of a 96-core fiber optic with single and double armor protection.
Before Siargao, PDSCN landed cables in Lucena City, Boac, Marinduque, Calatrava, Romblon, Roxas City, Placer, Masbate, Iloilo City and Bacolod City.