PLDT Inc. (PLDT) is strengthening its focus on data centers as a key part of its digital growth strategy in Southeast Asia (SEA). The company sees data centers as essential to its revenue growth as it continues to invest in expanding its infrastructure.
“We have already built 10 (data centers) and are finishing our 11th and biggest facility, which shows how strongly we believe that data centers are an important part of PLDT’s revenue growth,” said Menardo “Butch” Jimenez, chief operating officer of PLDT, during the recent PSE Invest PH 2025 event.
Jimenez emphasized the growing potential of tech-focused telcos as digital transformation accelerates across the region. He noted that PLDT’s data center business has experienced “healthy growth rates” over the past five years.
PLDT operates its data center network through its subsidiary, ePLDT. The network, known as Vitro Data Centers, provides solutions that support customers’ increasing IT outsourcing needs. One of its key facilities, the Vitro Sta. Rosa Data Center is envisioned to become the country’s hub for artificial intelligence (AI), creating the nation’s first AI ecosystem.
Data sovereignty laws preparation
Jimenez pointed out that data sovereignty laws could significantly impact the data center business.
“The next big inflection point for our data centers is for the government to start instituting data sovereignty laws. We are preparing for that, as it will be a big boost to the data centers,” he said.
PLDT is also preparing for the AI-driven future by offering GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS), which supports high-performance computing to meet the growing demand for AI and machine learning applications.