The PLDT Group is shifting its focus from delivering connectivity to driving digital transformation by expanding data centers, AI platforms, and fifth-generation (5G)-powered infrastructure to sustain revenue growth, Chief Operating Officer Menardo Jimenez Jr. said.
“If we stopped at just providing connectivity, our revenues and relevance would eventually plateau,” Jimenez said in a statement released on Monday. “We had to invest forward, and we did.”
PLDT said it operates the Philippines’ largest data center network and is the only provider capable of offering Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) services essential for AI processing. These assets position the company for meeting growing demand from enterprises and conglomerates for scalable, high-performance AI solutions, it added.
Jimenez laid out PLDT’s game plan for leading the 5G-AI revolution: build smarter infrastructure, collaborate boldly, and train relentlessly. With 5G Standalone Architecture as its backbone, he said PLDT is setting the stage for AI-powered innovation.
“The solo mindset is outdated,” Jimenez added, stressing the importance of strategic partnerships. Internally, PLDT is investing in AI bootcamps and upskilling programs to ensure its workforce is ready to lead in the age of intelligent connectivity.
“If our people don’t embrace AI, there’s no way we can lead with it,” Jimenez said.
Unit Smart partners with PayJoy
Meanwhile, with the number of smartphone users in the Philippines forecast to reach more than 80 million in the next four years, PLDT mobile unit Smart Communication Inc. has partnered with US-based financial technology firm PayJoy to provide Filipino consumers, particularly those new to credit, the opportunity to buy smartphones through PayJoy’s financing solutions.
“This collaboration aims to provide Filipino consumers, particularly those with limited budgets and no access to traditional credit, the opportunity to purchase mid to high-end smartphones through innovative financing solutions that will enable them to upgrade their means of communication and easier access to information,” Jac Bocalan, Smart Department Head/VP, said in a statement also on Monday.
Customers in the Philippines may now acquire smartphones by simply providing an ID and telephone number, without needing a traditional credit card. Payments can be made weekly throughout four, six, or nine months, making it easier for individuals to own high-quality devices to stay connected at home, work, or school.
PayJoy, which currently serves 66 million low-income consumers in the Philippines, uses proprietary phone-security technology and AI-driven underwriting to help borrowers build credit and access digital tools for work, education, and connection.
Smart continues to expand 4G/5G connectivity in the Philippines, covering 97 percent of the population. This expansion allows customers to enjoy faster internet speeds, seamless streaming, and improved mobile gaming experiences, further enhancing their digital lifestyle, the company said.
