The $150-million Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN), the longest of its kind in the country, is on track to be completed April this year, Globe announced Friday, January 19.
Globe partnered with Eastern Communications and InfiniVAN Inc. for the project meant to connect previously unserved and underserved areas nationwide.
The 2,500 kilometer-long PDSCN will soon kick off landing cables in nine remaining segments that cover 13 sites.
It will cover Calatrava, Romblon; Pasacao, Camarines Sur; Bulan, Sorsogon; Calbayog City, Samar; Palanas, Masbate; Mactan, Cebu; Maasin City, Leyte; Claver, Surigao del Norte; Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental; Camiguin; Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte; Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte; and Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur.
The project kicked off in Subic Bay, Zambales in July, 2022 and has already completed 15 segments across the country, including key cities and tourism destinations.
"As the Philippines continues to build a digital economy, Globe is steadfast in its efforts to bring fast and reliable connectivity for all," says Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu.
"We are committed to support the government's initiatives towards innovation, e-governance, and greater digital adoption through our investments in PDSCN and other network infrastructure,” he elaborated.
The PDSCN project is part of Globe’s network expansion and is also a main pillar of the Digital Infrastructure sector under the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC).
As the PDSCN project nears completion, Globe shifts towards capital efficiency and optimization, reducing its capital expenditures budget to $1.3 billion in 2023 and $1 billion in 2024, from $1.9 billion in 2022.
This will optimize spending in the next few years by maximizing the use of fiber assets and taking advantage of arrangements with tower companies to boost tower construction.