Converge targets to launch services in Visayas, Mindanao by second half of 2021

Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc. expects to start offering its services to Visayas and Mindanao by the second half of 2021.

File photo: Converge logo

Converge expanding to Visayas, Mindanao

In a statement, the fiber broadband provider said its national fiber backbone is set for completion this first semester, allowing it to expand outside Luzon.

Converge’s expansion to the Visayas and Mindanao regions has been progressing as planned. By targeting to substantially complete our backbone by the first half of 2021, we hope to commercially launch by the second half of the year so that we can reach more provinces in need of world-class fixed broadband services, said Converge Chief Operating Officer Jesus Romero.

Meanwhile, its chief executive officer and co-founder Dennis Anthony Uy said the group's goal is to connect underserved and unserved areas across the Philippines.

Converge's expansion in Visayas and Mindanao includes 1,800-kilometer of submarine sea cables, linking more than 20 landing stations throughout the country.

Converge submarine sea cables

According to Romero, the cable stations have already been substantially completed and they are now awaiting the vessel that will execute the submarine cable-laying operations. These submarine sea cables are the same fiber optic cables found on land-based stations but will be laid on the seabed to bridge the geographical challenges.

As of end-2020, the company earlier said it already passed 6.1 million homes or about 25 percent of total households in the Philippines.

Converge hopes to cover 15 million or 55 percent of Philippine households by 2025.