Globe and its partners Eastern Communications and InfiniVAN, Inc. marked another milestone as the US$150-million Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) project landed in the tourist island of Boracay, Aklan, on November 25, providing better connectivity crucial to economic recovery.
The project deployed fiber cables in the popular tourist destination as part of the country’s longest domestic submarine fiber cable network, designed to improve mobile and broadband connectivity. PDSCN also aims to bridge previously unserved and underserved areas with fast internet coverage to ensure equitable access across the country.
“The importance of widespread and reliable connectivity has become more apparent if we are to build a digital economy. We continue with our investments in fiber connectivity to our many islands so we can help in nation-building and drive economic growth,” said Ernest Cu, Globe Group President and CEO.
“We’re aiming to boost one of the Philippines’ greatest strengths— tourism. Boracay, being one of the most popular destinations in the archipelago, is a strategic landing point to strengthen our network capacity and resiliency. We believe improved connectivity in Boracay can help boost tourism again after the dragging impact of the pandemic,” said Arlene Jallorina, Globe Business Vice President for Strategic Infrastructure Investments.
PDSCN tapped state-of-the-art ship Cable Infinity from Japanese vendor Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd. to bring the cable sourced from global fiber optic cable maker Nexans across the archipelago, covering a total cable distance of 2,500 kilometers.
It aims to improve connectivity across the country and is in line with the government’s pursuit of innovation, e-governance, and greater digital adoption among Filipinos, in line with Globe’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In particular, the project is in support of UN SDG No. 9, which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development, and UN SDG No. 17, which emphasizes the value of partnerships to achieve sustainable development.
Boracay is the 20th landing point under the nine-month project, which targets 33 sites across the country. PDSCN earlier landed cables in Lucena City, Quezon; Boac, Marinduque; Calatrava, Romblon; Placer, Masbate; Iloilo City; Bacolod City; Roxas City; Siargao, Surigao del Norte; Palompon, Leyte; Mactan, Cebu; Dipolog City; Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental; Talisay City, Cebu; Tagbilaran; Baclayon; Cagayan De Oro City; San Carlos; Toledo; and Caticlan.
The project kicked off at Subic Bay in Zambales last July 14 and is scheduled for completion by April next year.
