PLDT and Google Taara's "air laser" brings connectivity to Talim Island

PLDT claims that residents of Brgy. Subay in Talim Island (Cardona, Rizal) already enjoys the benefits of air laser technology deployed last year.

PLDT and Google Taara air laser with photo of Subay Elementary School principal Johnie Olorvida (one of the users enjoying the new service)

Air laser internet to Talim Island

It uses Google Taara's air laser, which uses light to beam data across long distances.

For areas like Talim Island, situated on a lake, making it impossible to deploy submarine cables, air laser tech is a viable option for delivering connectivity with decent speeds.

Residents of the barangay use the connectivity to enhance classroom experiences with online materials and deliver government services.

Our deployment of Google Taara air laser technology here in Talim Island demonstrates how innovation can break through the physical barriers that have long limited connectivity in an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, particularly for remote and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), according to PLDT and Smart Head of Network Strategy and Architecture Eric Santiago.

This solution allows us to deploy faster, at lower cost, with high-capacity links that can also serve as a resilient backup to existing networks. More importantly, it enables PLDT fiber to reach communities that are traditionally difficult to serve, bringing reliable digital access to the most remote and disadvantaged areas and advancing our mission to connect every Filipino to opportunity, essential services, and the digital economy.

Reliable connectivity is critical for Subay Elementary School principal Johnie Olorvida, who travels daily to the island—via motorbike and boat—from his home in Angono.

Teacher Renelyn Antonil

For longtime teacher Renelyn Antonil, reliable connectivity has transformed classroom learning, making lessons more engaging and interactive for her students.

Barangay secretary Luisito Ditablan

Similarly, barangay secretary Luisito Ditablan credits fiber-like connectivity for streamlining local services, cutting processes from weeks to minutes, and enabling smoother online communication during the pandemic.

PLDT said that this tech delivers "fiber-like" speeds with good reliability.

PLDT’s network innovations align with its mission to deliver enhanced services nationwide, while supporting Smart’s role in bridging the digital divide and expanding access to essential services like education.