PLDT boosts fiber network, breaches 1M kilometers

Industry giant PLDT claimed dominance anew after expanding its fiber footprint, exceeding one million kilometers (kms) as of end-September.

File photo: PLDT logo

PLDT increases fiber footprint

The group reported that its total fiber footprint had already reached 1,091,000 kms, composed of more than 231,000 kms and almost 860,000 kms of domestic fiber.

PLDT said its strengthened network further reinforced the country's position as a regional hyperscale hub, while also delivering better internet connectivity to its mobile and home subscribers, as well as enterprise clients.

Our sustained investments in our network rollout has allowed us to continuously improve customer experience nationwide. Our fast and reliable network has been enabling companies' hybrid work set-ups, online banking and payments for enterprises of all sizes, as well as the government's initiatives to digitalize the Philippines, said Eric Santiago, PLDT Network Head.

PLDT's fiber infrastructure has passed some 16.8 million homes in 67 percent of the country’s cities and municipalities. It also supports PLDT's wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc.'s 77,200 base stations, including 7,300 5G base stations and close to 40,000 4G/LTE base stations deployed nationwide.

Smart now covers about 97 percent of the Filipino population with 3G, LTE, and 5G.

The Pangilinan-led telco also reported building 1.29 million additional fiber-to-the-home ports in the first nine months, bringing total FTTH capacity to 5.9 million.

PLDT has also started the construction of the 9,400-kilometer subsea cable Asia Direct Cable in Batangas. It is being eyed for completion by late 2023.