Meralco-led telco expands network

MANILA, Philippines — Radius Telecoms Inc., the telecommunications unit of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), is expanding its network outside of the power distributor’s franchise area.

Radius chairman Ray Espinosa said the company continues to invest in expanding infrastructure to provide fiber data, fiber internet, and other value added service to customers.

“Radius is expanding beyond the Meralco franchise area with network expansion in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga later this year and in Cebu by the first quarter of next year,” he said.

As the country’s largest power distributor, Meralco’s franchise area covers Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal, as well as certain areas in Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga and Quezon. 

Also as part of its expansion, Radius has addressed major network requirements, such as the 500-kilometer fiber optic cable roll-out within the core network and last mile extension, client installation projects and node and co-location establishment.

“Our expansion includes the upgrade of the core ethernet network. Once completed towards the end of 2019, it will be well-positioned with an all CiscoTM core network,” Espinosa said.

As of the end of September, Radius registered revenues of P1 billion, up seven percent from the same period last year.

This was derived primarily from the enterprise market, which accounts for over 55 percent of its customers, while the wholesale market accounts for the balance.

In terms of product type, data services accounted for 71 percent of total revenues while internet services accounted for 29 percent.

Radius expects to increase the share of managed and other services from less than one percent as it launched new services such as the Radius Cloud Express and Software Defined Wide Area Network (SWADA).

Established in 2000, Radius holds a congressional telecommunications franchise to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain for commercial purposes and in the public interest, the business of providing basic and enhanced telecommunications services in the Philippines and between the Philippines and other countries and territories.