PLDT Inc. is seriously considering divesting its stake in its data center business, following renewed interest from major multinational firms, according to chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.
“We’ve been approached lately… they’re big multinationals. I think this time we’re serious about selling our stake in the data center,” Pangilinan said, signaling a strategic shift after previously shelving earlier plans.
The sale would likely involve a 49 percent stake in ePLDT, the group’s ICT arm, with PLDT aiming to raise around US$1 billion while retaining a controlling 51 percent ownership of Vitro Inc., ePLDT’s data center subsidiary.
PLDT has been in prior talks with global investors including CVC Capital Partners and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (NTT), though no final agreement has been announced.
The renewed push comes as PLDT ramps up its AI-focused digital infrastructure. In July 2024, the company launched the country’s first hyperscale data center in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The 50MW facility, powered by NVIDIA GPU servers, offers GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS), supporting sectors such as banking, healthcare, and logistics in deploying AI solutions.
With global connectivity through major submarine cables and a carrier-neutral design, the facility—known as VSR—positions the Philippines as a competitive hub for regional digital innovation and foreign investment.
The potential stake sale reflects PLDT’s broader strategy to monetize high-value assets while supporting the nation’s digital transformation and economic growth through advanced infrastructure.
