GLOBE Telecom, PLDT Inc., and Converge ICT Solutions have submitted a proposal for a $500‑million nationwide undersea fiber‑optic network designed to expand connectivity throughout the Philippines.
The plan calls for laying undersea fiber‑optic cables from Batanes to Palawan, with additional links extending to the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology is evaluating the proposal, which will require government approval before proceeding. The network would use undersea cables instead of traditional land‑based lines to reach islands and areas currently lacking reliable telecommunications service.
If approved, the project is expected to be completed within two years, according to the department’s secretary.
One of the benefits highlighted is the digital acoustic system embedded in the cable, which can detect seismic movements for earthquake and tsunami monitoring. The system also enables real‑time data collection and could support national defense applications.
The initiative is being driven by a consortium of the three telcos and is intended to complement the government’s National Fiber Backbone project, a flagship connectivity program aimed at improving internet speeds through high‑speed fiber‑optic infrastructure.
Implementation will require interagency collaboration, as the network is intended as a domestic system. The National Fiber Backbone program is currently fast‑tracking Phases 4 and 5, scheduled for completion within the year, and is expected to provide faster and more reliable internet to about 70 million Filipinos.
The proposed domestic undersea network will also connect to international submarine cable systems. Globe has joined the Candle Cable System consortium, PLDT has invested in the Apricot cable system, and Converge participates in the Bifrost and SEA‑H2X international cable systems.
The development of this undersea fiber network represents a significant step toward enhancing nationwide connectivity and resilience, particularly for remote and island communities.
