Globe Telecom, Philippine’s major telecom services provider, and InfiniVAN, Eastern Communications and Japan-affiliated telco, have hired NTT World Engineering Marine Corp. (NTT WE Marine), for the final phase of the $150 million Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) project.
By using the cable ship Subaru, NTT WE Marine will land and install cables in the project’s nine remaining segments, which encompass 13 sites, until April of this year.
In order to connect 15 segments across the country with fiber optic cable in 2021, PDSCN contracted with the cutting-edge ship Cable Infinity from the Japanese company Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd.
According to Ernest Cu, Globe Group President and CEO, they make a significant advancement towards their objective of nation-building through digitalization by putting the PDSCN’s final phase into operation.
“We are committed to completing the project, a crucial step towards bridging the digital divide and providing equitable and reliable connectivity, essential for the economic and social development of our country,” said Cu.
PDSCN began operations in July of last year with a goal of bringing fiber access to previously unreached and underserved areas across a total cable span of 2,500 km.
As it continues cable landings this year, PDSCN 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.
NTT WE Marine, established in 1998, has a branch in the Philippines and offices in Nagasaki and Yokohama, Japan. Along with Subaru, NTT WE Marine also operates the cable-laying vessels Kizuna, Orion, and Vega.
