Local telecom firms are backing the new administration’s call for improved internet connectivity nationwide, digital governance and further expansion of internet services in underserved and unserved areas.
PLDT Inc. and unit Smart Communications Inc. said they are heeding the government’s call to improve connectivity nationwide, boosting the country’s competitiveness and enabling seamless access to government services.
“We support the government’s thrust to connect our countrymen and make sure that no Filipino is left behind as the world becomes more digital,” said Alfredo Panlilio, PLDT and Smart president and chief executive officer (CEO).
“We are also prepared to assist in the government’s digitalization efforts, empowering its vision of an agile bureaucracy that is responsive to the needs of the public,” Panlilio added.
In his first State of the Nation Address on Monday , President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. tasked the Department of Information and Communications Technology to deploy nationwide digital connectivity through the National Broadband Plan, the common tower program, and the “Broad Band ng Masa” project, which will connect geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas using a combination of submarine fiber optic cables, terrestrial networks and satellite technology.
Marcos also mentioned using digital innovations to improve governance by digitizing archives and records and harmonizing data across agencies with the help of secure but accessible data centers. He also laid down his priority legislation to include the E-Governance Act and Internet Transaction Act.
Meanwhile, Converge ICT Solutions Inc. said it supports the move of the government for universal connectivity and for the broader use of technology in aid of education.
“We’re pleased that the new administration is prioritizing universal connectivity, especially at this critical time when digitalization is at the heart of everything that we do. Converge is supportive of this initiative, as we push for digital democracy in the Philippines,” said Dennis Anthony Uy, Converge CEO and co-founder.
Converge said connecting the unserved and underserved communities has been its mission since its inception and in fact, has accelerated by two years its target of covering 55 percent of Philippine households with fiber connectivity to next year.
“We have ensured that we have the correct infrastructure in place and built our own domestic backbone and network so that world-class, resilient, and high-speed pure fiber connectivity is ready for service to Filipinos nationwide. With this digital infrastructure, we are more than ready to assist the government in the efforts to achieve universal connectivity,” said Uy.
DITO Telecommunity Corp. also expressed its full support for the President’s marching order to boost connectivity across the Philippines.
“We promise to deliver to the new administration’s goal of ensuring every Filipino thrives as the digital world grows, especially highlighted during the pandemic,” said Adel Tamano, DITO chief administrative officer.
“We have been aggressively building our network to meet our commitments, earmarking massive investments to address Filipino consumers’ rising demand for reliable and high-speed internet connectivity,” he added.
DITO said it has been actively participating in the government’s tower sharing market to help bolster its reach nationwide.
After over a year of commercial operations, the third telco player has established more than 5,500 towers, connecting more than 600 cities and municipalities with telco services.
The first phase of its submarine cable system, which links the three major Philippine islands, has been up and running since March 2021. As of June 2022, the group has laid out over 30,000 kilometers of fiber cable link.
Rodolfo Santiago, DITO chief technology officer, bared the company’s plan to tap satellite technology to reach underserved and unserved areas.
“With the expansion of our digital infrastructure, DITO is ready to help the Philippines emerge stronger from the pandemic,” Santiago said.
