Eastern Communications Activates Submarine Cable PDSCN 'Express Route,' Improving Reliable Connectivity in Typhoon-Prone Regions

Manila, Philippines — Eastern Communications has completed its "Express Route'' project as part of the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) joint venture, enhancing the Philippines' connectivity reliability. This initiative aims to provide robust and inclusive internet connectivity, with a focus on improving services in regions frequently affected by typhoons and natural calamities.

The PDSCN Express Route became operational on February 9, encompassing the following points: Lucena City, Quezon; Boac, Marinduque; Calatrava, Tablas Island, Romblon; Roxas City, Capiz; Placer, Masbate; Palompon, Leyte; Lapu-Lapu, Cebu; Talisay City, Cebu; Tagbilaran City, Bohol; and Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental.

With the PDSCN Express Route active, Eastern Communications is ready to facilitate on-ground connections and offer improved bandwidth to meet the varied needs of Filipinos, particularly in areas prone to cable faults, typhoons, and natural disasters.

"We celebrate the completion of Eastern’s PDSCN Express Route with all Filipinos. Together, we welcome a new era of possibilities and build a more reliable connectivity infrastructure for all," said Delfin Lopez, Eastern Communications’ AVP and Head of Network Planning, Engineering and Implementation.

The PDSCN Express Route is a 1,000-kilometer network of submarine and terrestrial fiber optic cables connecting South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The route was strategically designed to be composed of at least 80 percent of cables laid via submarine and less than 20 percent of cables laid in-land. By minimizing the terrestrial fiber network, the Express Route aims to reduce the likelihood and frequency of network faults caused by cable cuts on road networks. 

“While roadwork development is in place in these areas, the completion of the PDSCN Express Route becomes pivotal in laying a solid groundwork for a more reliable connectivity and driving digital empowerment nationwide," said Eastern Communications’ PDSCN Consultant Albert Tuason.

The entire PDSCN initiative, which commenced last July 2022 in Subic, Zambales, has been a collaborative effort with co-owners Globe Group and InfiniVAN Inc., and spans a total cable distance of 2,500 kilometers, with landing cables established in 32 Point of Interconnect (POI) sites.

As the PDSCN initiative continues to unfold, it holds the promise of transforming the digital landscape of the Philippines, paving the way for a more connected and resilient nation.

Building a digitally empowered Philippines

The PDSCN project was among the infrastructure and product expansion efforts recognized in Eastern Communications' winning entry at the 2023 Asian Telecom Awards entitled “Eastern Communications Strengthens Infrastructure & Product Portfolio to Swiften Digitalization of Philippine Businesses.” The winning entry underscores Eastern's support for digitizing cities and urban centers primed for rapid growth and opportunities. The entry won the B2B Client Initiative of the Year.

Furthermore, Eastern Communications was honored with the Philippines Customer Experience of the Year award in the Telecommunications category at the 2023 Asian Experience Awards. Emphasizing its dedication to meeting customer needs and delivering "high-tech and high-touch service," the company aims to replicate its unparalleled and authentic customer experiences as it expands its presence nationwide.

 

To learn more about Eastern Communications’ business-grade internet and ICT solutions, contact 5300-7000 or visit www.eastern.com.ph

InfiniVAN & Partners Land PDSCN in the Queen City of the South

CEBU CITY – InfiniVAN, Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed IPS, Inc. (TSE: 4390) and a broadband-centric Philippine telecommunications and digital solutions provider, continues its push for a future-proof digital infrastructure for the country during the recently held Ceremonial Cable Pulling Event of the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) in Mactan Island, Cebu on October 14. This joint-build project commenced last July in Subic, Zambales. A similar event was held in Siargao in September when a segment of PDSCN landed there.

The said ceremony was graced by Lapu-Lapu City’s Honorable Vice Mayor Celedonio “Celsi” Sitoy accompanied by Municipal Councilors together with the executives and representatives from InfiniVAN, Eastern Telecommunications, and Globe Telecom. This event brings the project closer to the completion of the “Express Route” of the PDSCN, which is scheduled to be completed and usable by the end of this year. The rest of the PDSCN is envisioned to be operational before the end of Q2 2023, with the southernmost segment to be landed in Zamboanga.

This $150-Million joint-build project is a partnership among InfiniVAN, Globe and Eastern Communications and involves the participation of world class technology partners and vendors including Nexans, Kokusai Cable Ship Co., Ltd, Fleet Marine Cable Solutions, Inc., SJA Business Consultancy and Liaison Services, and Kyotosh. The PDSCN is expected to deliver the advantages of fiber connectivity nationwide, including some far-flung areas in the Philippines, and help realize more reliable digital connectivity to boost business and economic growth throughout the country.

According to InfiniVAN’s Chief Technology Officer, Mr. Alberto “Abet'' Espedido, “This PDSCN Project is the biggest in terms of subsea installation in the Philippines. With Cebu/Mactan having four touch points, it automatically becomes the main hub, reflective of the economic scenario in the region where Cebu, for ages, has been the hub for commerce in the Visayas and Mindanao islands. Cebu now takes center stage in digitally connecting all the islands of the country.“

Mr. Espedido also mentioned that this project could be a precursor for the eventual arrival of international submarine cable systems in Cebu. It should be noted that today, most international submarine cable systems are landed in Luzon but the realities of the connectivity business demand that there should be route diversity for network reliability and robust performance. InfiniVAN’s Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Edgardo Opulencia, added that this particular project also augurs well for the development of connectivity-driven strategic industries such as BPOs, digital content development and hyperscale data centers among others. InfiniVAN is also set to commence the build out of its fiber optic backbone infrastructure in Cebu before the end of the year.

The PDSCN's next landing is set in Boracay Island.

Know more about InfiniVAN, Inc. and go to www.infinivan.com.