Telecommunications company Eastern Communications, digital solutions platform Globe, and internet service provider InfiniVAN launched the deployment of fiber cables meant to build what is touted as “the country’s longest submarine fiber cable network.”

The Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN), a joint project among the three companies, aims to improve both mobile and broadband connectivity and fiberize previously unserved areas across the country’s three main island groups.

In ceremonies at Subic Bay in Zambales, executives of Eastern Communications, Globe, InfiniVAN, and Japanese vendor partner Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd. (KCS), held a send off to the ship Cable Infinity.

Eastern Communications launches new ‘Experience Center’
Eastern Communications holds summit to empower businesses

The ship will ferry cables that will cover the PDSCN, which has a total cable distance of roughly 2,500 kilometers or about the same distance between Manila and Singapore. It will be landing at several points across the country, including Sorsogon, Masbate, Marinduque, Camiguin, Siargao, Boracay, and Zamboanga, for undersea laying in 24 segments over the next nine months.

“What we are doing is not just for Globe, Eastern, or InfiniVAN but for the Filipino people. Providing equitable access to mobile and internet connection in all parts of the country has been our dream, and through this cooperation, we are finally at the cusp of realizing this goal,” said Vince Tempongko, co-coordinator, Eastern Communications.

Segments for the submarine cable network are expected to be completed by April 2023, and fiber connections will be activated thereafter.