The Philippines is expanding its submarine cable network and has contracted the Japanese telecommunications giant IPS Inc. and affiliate InfiniVAN Inc. in a $150 million project linking Luzon to islands in the Visayas and Mindanao.
The P8.5 billion undersea cable project of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is seen accelerating the government’s digital transformation program.
The contract involves the expansion of the 2,500-kilometer Philippine domestic submarine cable network, an undersea cable network linking the main island of Luzon all the way to Mindanao, encompassing 26 hops or landing stations when completed.
According to the DICT, the expansion project will help build a resilient infrastructure by the laying of optical fiber lines.
DICT Secretary John Ivan Uy also said the new contract will further enhance regional connectivity and promote economic growth as the country pushes forward in its digital transformation program.
“This agreement shows how we collaborate with the private sector with the objective of establishing a contemporary and efficient network. This network is poised to play a role in enhancing the overall stability of infrastructure in the Philippines,” Uy said.
“With the improvement of connectivity, we are providing more Filipinos the opportunity to participate in the digital transformation and digital journey that we all must share in this fourth industrial (revolution),” he said.
CICC Executive Director Alexander K. Ramos said the partnership with Japan is a testament to the nation’s growing importance in the global digital landscape.
“The investment aligns seamlessly with the country’s digital transformation strategy, which seeks to leverage technology for inclusive growth and progress,” he said.
InfiniVAN, Inc. is a Congressionally-franchised Philippine telecom company under Republic Act 10898 and an affiliate of Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed IPS, Inc. (TSE: 4390).
InfiniVAN, Inc. provides business internet user experience at par with global standards, delivered via end-to-end fiber optic network infrastructure that is fully redundant and backed by experienced and reliable management as well as technical support teams.
