Globe, Eastern Communications, InfiniVAN kickstart Philippines' longest submarine fiber cable network

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Aug 12, 2022, 08:00 ET

MANILA, Philippine, Aug. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading Philippine digital solutions platform Globe, premier telecommunications and ICT solutions provider Eastern Communications, and growing telecommunications and digital solutions provider InfiniVAN marked a milestone on Thursday, July 14, as they kickstarted the deployment of fiber cables to build the country's longest submarine fiber cable network.

The $150-million 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.

In ceremonies at Subic Bay in Zambales, executives of Globe, Eastern Communications, InfiniVAN, and Japanese vendor partner Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd. (KCS), gave a simple sendoff to state-of-the-art ship Cable Infinity, the "number one high-technology cable ship in the world," according to KCS.

The ship will ferry cables, manufactured by global fiber optic cable maker Nexans, that will cover the PDSCN, which has a total cable distance of roughly 2,500 kilometers or about the same distance between Manila and Singapore. 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 9 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," said Jallorina at the kickoff event.

Eastern Communications Co-coordinator Vince Tempongko cited the importance of the joint effort to boost life-enabling 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 connection in all parts of the country has been our dream, and through this cooperation, we are finally at the cusp of realizing this goal," Tempongko said.

Eastern Communications Co-coordinator Atty. Aileen Regio shared the many benefits this brings to the Filipino people.

"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 "Abet" Espedido expressed gratitude to the companies and the working team. Together, Globe, Eastern Communications, and InfiniVAN took the crucial first step towards laying the cables after two years of planning and coordination.

"I'd like to thank everyone for their perseverance, professionalism, experience and patience, we were able to get through all the challenges. And now we are finally starting this project to bring much needed connectivity all over the country," he said.

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

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

To know more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph. Learn more about Eastern Communications via www.eastern.com.ph. And to know all about InfiniVAN, please visit www.infinivan.com/.

About Globe:

Globe is a leading full-service telecommunications company in the Philippines and publicly listed in the PSE with the stock symbol GLO. The company serves the telecommunications and technology needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connectivity, internet and managed services. It has major interests in financial technology, digital marketing solutions, venture capital funding for startups, and virtual healthcare. In 2019, Globe became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, committing to implement universal sustainability principles. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel, acknowledged industry leaders in the country and in the region.

About Eastern Communications:

As one of the premier Philippine telecommunications companies, Eastern Communications has evolved into a world-class telecommunications and ICT solutions company providing an extensive portfolio of services that include Connectivity Solutions, Network Solutions, Security Solutions, Cloud and Data Center Solutions, and Business Applications. It continues to be the solutions partner of choice for the biggest industry players in the country through its unique brand of "High Tech" and "High Touch" service. Eastern Communications was awarded Telco of the Year in the 2020 Asia Leaders Awards and has received accolades from prestigious award-giving bodies such as The Stevie Awards program, Best Employer Brand Awards, Philippine Quill Awards, and the Anvil Awards, among others.

About InfiniVAN:

InfiniVAN, Inc. provides a business Internet user experience that is at par with global standards, delivered via end-to-end Fiber Optic Network Infrastructure that is fully redundant and backed up by experienced and reliable management as well as technical support team. InfiniVAN, Inc. also offers remarkable services at competitively-priced rates delivering quality Internet for business and ensuring ultrafast speed, reliable, and convenient connection to various types of businesses. InfiniVAN, Inc. commits to giving guaranteed Internet services by continuously harnessing its technology to showcase valued business Internet experience.

SOURCE Globe Telecom, Inc.