PLDT doubling capacity of international cable link

MANILA, Philippines — Telecommunications and digital services provider PLDT Inc. is doubling its international cable system capacity by next year to address growing data traffic overseas.

PLDT chief technology and information adviser Joachim Horn said the company is continuously upgrading its capacity ahead of demand to ensure the network is ready for the massive growth in data traffic, especially during unexpected situations such as the current pandemic.

PLDT currently operates three existing cable landing stations for its international data network, which are situated in Batangas, Daet, and La Union.

Horn said the telco giant has invested in 14 international submarine cable systems and one international terrestrial cable system with current capacity of over 10 Terabit per second (Tbps) terminating in the Philippines.

“PLDT will double its capacity by 2021 to over 20.5 Tbit/s with the upgrade of its existing cable systems and the completion of the new JUPITER cable system,” he said.

“PLDT has also invested in the new Asia Direct Cable to be completed by end of 2022 with a capacity of 4 Tbps. We expect these expansions to address the rapidly rising data traffic overseas” Horn said.

PLDT has extensive participation in 15 consortiums of international cable systems carrying data traffic going in and out of the Philippines.

These include the Asia-America Gateway (AAG), Asia-submarine Cable Express, Asia Pacific Cable Network 2, and South East Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 3.

Multiple cable routes traversing thousands of kilometers along ocean seabeds that carry internet traffic augment the network’s ability to reroute and redirect data traffic.

PLDT said this makes its network resilient and redundant, ensuring continuous operations and connectivity amid fiber cuts or maintenance activities.

With the ongoing maintenance activities of the AAG, PLDT assured customers that it has set in place various measures to ensure seamless internet connectivity.

“Over the years, PLDT has made substantial investments to deliver the increasing data and digital services of consumers and industries. Committed to nation building, PLDT is a critical enabler to the growth and development of a strong digital ecosystem in the country,” it said.