Globe Telecom and Eastern Communications said Wednesday the longest domestic submarine fiber cable project reached Mactan Island in Cebu to deliver faster internet connectivity and better voice and SMS services.
Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network, a joint project of Globe and partners Eastern and InfiniVAN Inc., aims to improve mobile and broadband connectivity in the country and fiberize previously unserved areas.
“Our thrust is to provide a first-world network, and we hope this helps enable the country in its aspiration to be the next internet hub in Asia. As we expand as a digital solutions platform, we want Globe to be internationally recognized so we can encourage more investments into our country in line with our mission to see a nation admired,” said Globe Business – Enterprise Group vice president for strategic infrastructure investments Arlene Jallorina.
Eastern co-coordinator Aileen Regio said the project would establish Cebu’s competitive advantage and draw further investment which would help the region’s growing SMEs and surge in tourism.
“We have been partners with a lot of business organizations in Cebu and are very fortunate that we have seen the development of the province, including Mactan and Lapu-Lapu, firsthand,” Regio said.
“As of late, we’ve heard of many new and major projects in terms of infrastructure in the region, like CCLEX and other multi-billion projects. We are hoping that the PDSCN will be just like all these projects and will be catering to the advancement and further the economic development of the region and the province itself,” she said.
PDSCN is envisioned to deliver inclusive connectivity crucial to economic recovery and growth. It supports various government needs, businesses, consumers, and different sectors amid a growing shift to digital platforms.
It is part of Globe’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9, which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development, and SDG No. 17, which emphasizes the value of partnerships to achieve sustainable development.
Before Mactan, PDSCN reached nine other sites: Lucena City, Quezon; Boac, Marinduque; Calatrava, Romblon; Placer, Masbate; Iloilo City; Bacolod City; Roxas City; Siargao, Surigao del Norte; and Palompon, Leyte.
PDSCN covers a total cable distance of roughly 2,500 kilometers.
The cable was sourced from global fiber optic cable maker Nexans Norway AS, while Japanese vendor partner Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd., together with the other technical vendor partners Fleet Marine Cable Solutions Inc., SJA Business Consultancy & Liaison Services and Kyotosh Engineering Services were tapped to bring the cable across the archipelago.
The $150-million project kicked off on July 14 this year at the Subic Bay in Zambales, where KCS’ state-of-the-art ship Cable Infinity started its journey to land cables in 24 segments over nine months. It is expected to be completed by April 2023.
