PLDT Inc. is looking at investing anew in technology firms that will help strengthen its cloud business.
Alfredo Panlilio, PLDT president and chief executive officer (CEO), said the company intends to become a big “cloud” player in the market, if not in the region.
“We’re exploring entities and companies that might be able to have those capabilities and for us to be able to ramp up competencies quicker,” Panlilio said recently during a press briefing when asked how PLDT will build up its capabilities in the cloud service.
“We continue to be on the lookout for… We are having actually, after the Holy Week, we’re having another strategic planning among the leaders to identify really where the future lies for PLDT. Obviously, it’s strengthening the core business but at the same time, what are the new pillars of growth that we can look at,” Panlilio added.
PLDT is set to complete the construction of its 11th and largest hyperscale data center facility in Santa Rosa, Laguna, he said.
“We continue to be a leader in data center even before the 11th data center will be built by end of this year. I think we have had 65 to 70 percent market share on the data center,” he noted.
Panlilio said customers and hyperscalers should be able to use VITRO Sta. Rosa starting early next year.
“I think other telcos can also connect to the data center, addressing all requirements of our customers,” he added.
PLDT Enterprise logged its highest-ever revenues, with data and solutions continuing to drive growth. In 2022, Enterprise revenues grew by 8 percent to P47.5 billion.
Enterprise’s fixed business performed at an all-time high, driven by high-capacity data demand, while its wireless business, despite challenges, displayed consistent growth driven by its technology solutions portfolio, PLDT said.
Record data center performance, on the other hand, boosted its information and communications technology (ICT) segment along with strong growth in its cloud business. This market-leading performance has solidified PLDT Enterprise’s position as the most trusted digital transformation partner for the enterprise market, including small and medium businesses and the government.
Strengthening its foothold as the country’s data center powerhouse and “Home of Hyperscalers,” Enterprise’s investments in the Jupiter, Asia Direct and Apricot cable systems will help cover diverse industry future requirements for massive data capacity and high-speed connectivity, PLDT said.
“ePLDT is going to be an important growth pillar, and we want to be a significant player in the cloud business in Southeast Asia,” said Victor Genuino, ePLDT president and CEO.
ePLDT’s Vitro data center network is reinforcing its leadership in the local data center industry with the ongoing construction of PLDT’s 11th data center in Sta Rosa. Vitro is ready to serve local clients as well as global hyperscalers.
“We continue to enhance our competency and capabilities in the cloud and cybersecurity space to better serve the ICT needs of our customers, now and in the future,” Genuino added.
