GLOBE Telecom, Inc. and its partners have commissioned NTT World Engineering Marine Corp., or NTT WE Marine, to finish the last leg of a submarine cable network that will bring fiber connectivity to remote areas by April.
In a press release on Wednesday, Globe said the firm is expected to land and lay cables in the nine remaining segments of the $150-million Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN).
“With the final phase of the PDSCN in motion, we are excited to take a major step towards our goal of nation-building through digitalization,” Globe President and Chief Executive Officer Ernest L. Cu said.
The project, which has a coverage of a total cable distance of 2,500 kilometers, initially started in July 2022. The last leg of the project will be done through cable ship Subaru, one of NTT WE Marine’s cable-laying vessels.
“This is a crucial step towards bridging the digital divide and providing equitable and reliable connectivity, which is essential for the economic and social development of our country,” Mr. Ernest L. Cu added.
The PDSCN, through its continuous cable landings, will cover Calatrava, Romblon; Pasacao, Camarines Sur; Bulan, Sorsogon; Calbayog City, Samar; Palanas, Masbate; Mactan, Cebu; Maasin City, Southern Leyte; Claver, Surigao del Norte; Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental; Camiguin; Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte; Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte; and Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur.
Globe said that it has been “aggressive in expanding its network to meet the growing demand for connectivity amid increased digitalization.”
In another press release, Globe also revealed plans to roll out 30 booths to assist in the registration of subscriber identity module (SIM) cards from Feb. 1 to 3. The company aims to open registration assistance booths in remote towns from northern to southern provinces, with a view to servicing as many customers as possible before the April 26 deadline.
The SIM registration booths will be open to all and are put in place to help senior citizens, persons with disability, and those using basic phones without internet access. Following the first round in January, where the company deployed booths in 15 areas from Jan. 25 to 27., the rollout is part of the National Telecommunications Commission’s initiative.
By the end of January, Globe said the firm had logged over 11 million registered prepaid SIMs. “Globe is again urging its customers to plan and schedule their registration, as failure to do so within deadline will lead to SIM deactivation,” the company added.
