Skycable activates backup capacity

MANILA, Philippines — Sky Cable Corp. has activated back-up capacity to ensure connectivity of its fiber users during the emergency maintenance of an international cable system until Wednesday.

In an updated advisory yesterday, Sky Cable said the completion of the activation of its backup capacity would offset any adverse effects of the Asia-America Gateway (AAG) maintenance activities on its subscribers’ internet service.

“As a result, this AAG activity will not be service affecting SkyFiber and SkyCable subscribers,” it said.

“We stay committed to serve you especially at this time when connectivity is most essential for your work or learning needs at home,” the firm said.

On Thursday, Sky Cable advised its Sky Fiber subscribers that the AAG maintenance activities would result in slow connection affecting social media, web browser and video streaming sites such as Facebook, Google and Netflix.

Emergency maintenance activities will be conducted on submarine cables of the AAG from 9 am today up to 5 a.m. Wednesday.

The AAG is a 20,000-kilometer long high-bandwidth fiber optic submarine cable system with stations in the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Guam, Hawaii and the US.

PLDT has identified alternative cable systems to keep its connectivity resilient in light of the emergency maintenance activities of one of its submarine cable systems.

PLDT said measures such as traffic rerouting and local caching have been adopted to ensure that most frequently downloaded content are located in the Philippines.

“Students can still do their online studies and exams, and users in homes and businesses can go about their normal internet-based activities during this time,” PLDT said.

Meanwhile, Globe Telecom Inc. said its customers would not be affected by the AAG maintenance activities.

“The activity has no impact on Globe customers,” it said.