Fiber broadband operator Converge ICT Solutions Inc. completed its redundant fiber backbone in Mindanao meant to improve service and protect against cable breaks.
The ‘Mindanao redundancy loop’ strengthens Converge's 90,000-kilometer pure fiber backbone.
The newly-completed segment, in particular, connects the cable landing point in Cagayan de Oro with Buenavista, forming a network ring that passes through key areas in Mindanao such as Tagum, Davao, and Valencia.
Apart from the fiber network, Converge is also building a data center in Davao to enable local caching of internet content for increased network reliability and speed.
“As we continue to pursue our Go National strategy through 2022, we want to make sure that we have high service availability for our subscribers in Visayas and Mindanao," said Converge CEO Dennis Anthony Uy.
"With the redundancy ring completed, we’re significantly reducing the chances of service outages since we now have an alternative network route in place. The whole Philippine digital highway is strongly protected against cable breaks,” he elaborated.
“With this, we’re adding yet another layer of protection to our network which is important as we accommodate the growing demand in Visayas and Mindanao,” Uy pointed out.
The redundancy loop fortifies the primary route of the network by adding a secondary path for data to pass through in case of a failure in the main route.
This makes sure there’s no service downtime and subscribers’ connection remains unhampered.
Since the start of its fiber broadband service in Mindanao this April, Converge has laid down more than 100,000 lines in Davao and Cagayan de Oro, gaining traction in its subscriber base.
“In 2022, we will be expanding in key areas in Mindanao such as Butuan, Saranggani, Davao Oriental, and Bukidnon in a span of a few months. With that, we’re sure to drive up our subscriber base here in Mindanao,” noted Ariel Concejero, Converge Head of Sales for Consumer, SME and Emerging Channels.
As of the third quarter of the year, the nationwide fiber backbone of Converge spans 90,000 kilometers with the 1,800-kilometer subsea segment interconnecting the major islands of the Philippines.
The company’s total residential subscriber base reached nearly 1.6 million as of end-September, with almost 5.5 million fiber ports installed across the country.
“If you see the cable map, we have so much redundancy, " according to Miles Tonn Chua, President and COO of Metroworks ICT Construction Inc., the infrastructure arm of Converge.
"Mindanao is currently served by two backbone legs, one from Cagayan De Oro landing station, the other in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. The third landing station will be here in Davao, where we will build our data center,” he elaborated.
Converge aims to cover 55 percent of total Philippine households with world-class fiber connectivity by 2023 as part of its mission to reach the unserved and underserved areas in the country.