Globe, Eastern Communications, InfiniVAN deploy submarine fiber cable network

Globe Telecom Inc., Eastern Communications, and digital solutions provider InfiniVAN on Thursday began the deployment of fiber cables to build the country’s longest submarine fiber cable network.

In a statement, Globe said that the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN), a joint project among the three companies, “aims to improve both mobile and broadband connectivity and fiberize previously unserved areas across the country’s three main island groups.”

The kickstart of PDSCN was held at a ceremony in Subic Bay, Zambales where Japanese vendor partner Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd. (KCS) sent off the cable ship, Cable Infinity.

Globe said the ship would ferry cables that cover the PDSCN, which has a total cable distance of roughly 2,500 kilometers. 

It will be landing at several points across the country, including Sorsogon, Masbate, Marinduque, Camiguin, Siargao, Boracay, and Zamboanga, for undersea laying in 24 segments over the next nine months.

“We persevered and we’re now almost there. This is the start of the cable laying. This is really exciting, it’s such a beautiful milestone. May we always keep the connections strong,” said Arlene Jallorina, vice president for strategic infrastructure investments for Globe Business, Enterprise Group.

“We know there may be other challenges along the way. We hope we’ll be able to work through them quickly and very much solidly as a group. We are doing this so that our customers will get equitable access to connectivity, wherever they may be in the country."

Eastern Communications co-coordinator Vince Tempongko highlighted the importance of the joint effort to boost connectivity across the country.

“What we are doing is not just for Globe, Eastern, or InfiniVAN but for the Filipino people. Providing equitable access to mobile and internet connections in all parts of the country has been our dream, and through this cooperation, we are finally at the cusp of realizing this goal,” he said.

Eastern Communications co-coordinator Aileen Regio also mentioned the benefits the cable will offer.

“We are very much hopeful that this project can be the answer that will open doors to great outcomes, solve the many challenges we are facing, and be bigger than it already is,” she said.

InfiniVAN chief technology officer Alberto Espedido added, “We are finally starting this project to bring much needed connectivity all over the country.”

Segments for the submarine cable network are expected to be completed by April 2023, and fiber connections will be activated thereafter, Globe said.

PDSCN is in line with the goal of Globe, Eastern Communications, and InfiniVAN to expand their coverage across the Philippines to better serve their customers.  —VBL, GMA News