Dito investing P20 billion for Clark data center

MANILA, Philippines — Third telecommunications player Dito Telecommunity Corp., a partnership between the group of Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy and state-owned China Telecom, is investing P20.5 billion to put up a data center in Clark, Pampanga.

The Dito Telecommunity Data Center is seen as a critical component to begin commercial operations of the new major telco player as it will hold operational departments, network operations center, servecall center and regional center.

The data center will be designed after Google’s campus-style headquarters. It will also serve as the hub for Dito’s research and development in the telecommunications space.

“We are excited to build an iconic Dito Campus in Clark. This is a clear indication of our commitment to provide world-class telecommunications services that the Filipinos deserve and to continue to prime Clark Global City with quality locators,” Uy said.

Dito will sublease an eight-hectare property in Clark Global City to house the main data center.

Clark Global City is Uy’s 177-hectare sprawling development in Pampanga that is touted to become the newest business district in Luzon.

Dito said the project would require an initial P13.6 billion investment in the first year and an additional P6.9 billion in the subsequent four years.

“This project will bring innovative and cutting-edge technologies, from high-end 5G capabilities to top-tier data center infrastructure systems,’’ Dito chief administrative officer Adel Tamano said.

The project is expected to generate significant employment, with 800 locals to be hired in the first year, all the way to a total of 4,500 on year five.

Wilfredo Placino, president of Udenna Land, said construction of the project would start in three months’ time.

“We are more than excited to spur business development in Clark. With the state-of-the-art Dito Data Center located at the heart of Clark Business District, local and foreign businesses will surely be encouraged to establish operations in Clark Global City,” Placino said.