NGCP to boost DICT fiber project

MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has been tapped by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to help accelerate its National Fiber Backbone (NFB) project, which the administration of President Marcos aims to complete in 2026.

The NGCP, represented by president and CEO Anthony Almeda, and DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy signed the lease agreement for the power grid operator’s infrastructure, including its private telecom network infrastructure and substations, on Feb. 28 at the NGCP head office in San Juan City.

“We are pleased to stand as a key contributor to the National Fiber Backbone Project of DICT, a transformative initiative that aims to yield tangible benefits for the Filipino people,” Almeda said.

“Together with DICT and the government under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we work tirelessly to ensure the successful implementation of the NFB project, bringing us one step closer to realizing our shared vision of a digitally inclusive Philippines,” he added.

The fiber backbone project aligns with the objectives of the National Broadband Plan, a strategic blueprint devised by DICT to accelerate the deployment of fiber optic cable and wireless technology, thereby improving internet speeds and accessibility across the country.

Central to NBP is the establishment of a demand-responsive neutral fiber backbone, leveraging NGCP’s private telecom network infrastructure. This backbone will facilitate the laying out of fiber optic cables in 23 strategic sites across Luzon, bolstering ICT infrastructure and fostering improved internet connectivity.

The agreement will help enable the deployment of a robust national broadband infrastructure, in turn allowing government to leverage a two-terabyte connection originating from the eastern seaboard.

“The signing of the Specific Site Lease Agreement will lead us closer to providing lighting-fast broadband connectivity to Filipinos,” Secretary Uy noted.

“I’d like to express my sincerest gratitude to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines for your proactive response to the President’s vision of the ‘Bagong Pilipinas,’ where every Filipino has access to boundless opportunities and benefits from robust and inclusive digital infrastructure,” Uy emphasized.

The project’s Phase 1 illuminated 26 nodes spanning from Laoag, Ilocos Norte, to Roces, Quezon City, utilizing NGCP’s dark fiber. Subsequent phases will extend network reach, connecting regions across the country and providing broadband internet access to government entities and public places.

In preparation for the operationalization, the DICT has commenced civil works and installation activities for Telecom Shelters within NGCP substations, ensuring the proper housing for Optical Transport Networking equipment essential for the project’s success.