Globe's submarine cable project in Mindanao to start in 2026

Telecommunication firm Globe Telecom is set to start its Submarine Cable Project, a 48-core, 175-kilometer network connecting Zamboanga to Isabela City, Basilan and extending to Sulu, in early part of 2026.

The project includes installation of the cable, inland and fronthaul infrastructure, landing stations, and access transport, as well as deployment of core and access network nodes to support both broadband and mobile services.

The submarine cable survey is scheduled to start in early 2026, with full construction expected by mid-2027.

Globe said once operational, Isabela City will serve as a resilient hub for high-capacity internet in the region. The investments complement government efforts under the National Broadband Plan to bring connectivity to Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).

“This is more than infrastructure. It is a bridge to opportunity,” said Globe president and CEO Carl Cruz.

“As data consumption continues to grow beyond 30GB per user each month, we are expanding fiber and broadband not just to connect homes, but to empower small businesses and fuel the broader digital economy,” he said.

Globe’s broader network modernization program has migrated over 600 towns across 70 provinces to full fiber, gradually replacing older copper lines to provide faster and more stable service while reducing environmental impact.

“Reliable connectivity is transformative. It opens doors for education, supports local enterprises, and helps communities participate fully in the digital economy,” Jowin Marquez, senior director of Territory Lead for Network Technical Group, said.

Over the past three years, Globe has invested P228 billion in capital expenditures and P236 billion in operating expenses to strengthen and future-proof its network. GFiber Prepaid, a no-contract, reloadable broadband option, has grown 53% in early 2025 alone, now serving 400,000 homes nationwide, contributing to Globe’s total of 1.83 million broadband subscribers.—AOL, GMA Integrated News