Phase 2 of PDSCN Project kicks off

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The Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) project initiated by Japanese-affiliated telco InfiniVAN Inc. that has successfully laid and landed 15 segments of the soon-to-be longest and largest capacity domestic subsea cable system in the country entered its Phase 2 during kickoff ceremonies held on January 20, 2023 at the NSD Compound, Subic Bay Freeport, Olongapo.

Joint-build partners Eastern Telecom and Globe Telecom joined Infinivan representatives at the event.

An “Express Route” was fittingly completed by end 2022 that successfully landed system segments in Subic, Cebu, Siargao, Boracay and other far-flung islands.

This first phase of the P150 million project laid down the foundation of the longest and largest submarine fiber optic cable network that would distribute internet connectivity to wholesale, enterprise and residential customers nationwide when completed.

Phase 2 will interconnect these landing points terrestrial fiber routes.

After a successful engagement with KCS, a subsidiary of Japanese telco KDDI, in Phase 1, the PDSCN project welcomed NTT-WE Marine (NTTWEM), a subsidiary of NTT, Japan’s largest telco, as its new partner for Phase 2. NTTWEM’s Subaru vessel is the ship to be used for the submarine cable implementation of Phase 2 of the project.

InfiniVAN and partners are eyeing April 2023 as the completion date of the submarine cable laying phase.

The route design of the system means that it will have easy connectivity with present and future international submarine cable landing stations, thus enabling the project proponents to extend those international submarine cable capacities for distribution to the rest of the country.

“We see this as an opportunity to fulfill our objective of providing connectivity to far flung areas and hope that the good communications infrastructure will also pump-prime local economies in those areas,” InfiniVAN’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Engr. Alberto “Abet” Espedido said.