The Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. has joined eight other telecom and tech firms to form the Asia United Gateway East (AUG East) consortium, which aims to construct an 8,900-kilometer high-capacity submarine cable system linking Singapore, Japan, the Philippines, and other key Asian markets.
The project is designed to meet soaring regional demand for artificial intelligence (AI)-driven and high-bandwidth applications.
As the Philippine representative, Globe’s involvement underscores its commitment to fortifying the country’s digital infrastructure, spurring economic growth, and advancing AI-powered innovation.
“This new data superhighway strengthens our nation’s digital backbone. It gives businesses the scale, speed, and reliability they need to compete globally and embrace technologies that uplift lives and drive inclusive progress for all Filipinos,” Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz said in a statement issued Sunday, July 20.
The AUG East cable will increase bandwidth and improve network diversity along a key digital corridor between Singapore and Japan, with strategic landing points in the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Scheduled for completion by the third quarter of 2029, the system will deliver enormous data capacity—enough to simultaneously stream millions of ultra-high-definition videos.
Forecasts show that traffic from AI and AI-enhanced applications will eclipse traditional internet usage by 2031, as Asia-Pacific organizations continue to lead global investments in generative AI and digital infrastructure.
“This investment in the AUG East cable system is a cornerstone of our long-term strategy to future-proof the Philippines’ digital infrastructure,” Raymond Policarpio, Globe Business Vice President and Head of Strategy Management and Business Investments, said in a statement.
“As AI-powered applications become more pervasive, demand for resilient, high-capacity international connectivity will surge. By securing our stake in this vital digital thoroughfare, we are enabling our enterprise clients to leverage emerging technologies, fuel innovation, and expand their global footprint—ensuring the Philippines remains a competitive hub in the digital economy,” Policarpio added.
The AUG East consortium includes Globe, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, ARTERIA Networks, Chunghwa Telecom, DREAMLINE, Telekom Malaysia, and Unified National Networks, with Singtel serving as chair.
