PLDT Inc. (PLDT) has started to re-accelerate its network roll-out incorporating process improvements to support business growth and operational efficiencies.
“Following a deep-dive review of our internal processes in line with our transformation efforts, we are re-accelerating our network roll-out. Capex guidance for 2023 is P80-85 billion and includes investments in capacity to support growing mobile traffic and to support demand for home broadband,” said Eric Santiago, FVP and Network Head.
Santiago added that they remain focused on achieving the vision for PLDT’s network, summarized in the acronym “CIA” – Cloudified, or being cloud-native, Intelligent, and Automated.
“The heart and soul of PLDT and Smart are our strong and resilient, award-winning fixed and wireless networks, which we are continuously optimizing to further improve customer experience and achieve cost and operational efficiencies,” he said.
“This also supports PLDT’s commitment to aid the Government in its digitalization goals, our aim to narrow the digital divide and our mission to make our services more accessible to more Filipinos,” he added.
As of end-March 2023, PLDT had expanded its total fiber footprint to over 1.1 million kilometers, consisting of over 231,000 kilometers of international fiber and over 874,000 kilometers of domestic fiber.
This fiber infrastructure also supports Smart’s 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, and 5G network, which cover 97 percent of the country’s population as of end-March 2023.
PLDT and Smart’s continued efforts to transform their integrated fixed and wireless networks contribute to the PLDT Group’s endeavors to provide connectivity to all, and to anchor initiatives on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly on SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
These also reinforce PLDT Group’s commitment as one of the founding members under the Digital Infrastructure group of the Government-mandated Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) formed in 2022, with PSAC programs such as GoDigital Pilipinas aimed at expanding access to digital technologies.
