As the government works to deliver on targets to close the country’s connectivity gap by 2028, PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are ramping up investments to ensure that no Filipino is left behind in the nation’s digital transformation.
From expanding fiber reach to testing space-based internet solutions, the country’s leading telco group says it is fully aligning its network with the government’s call for universal, reliable, and affordable connectivity—especially in far-flung and underserved communities.
“We share the government’s aspiration to provide inclusive, resilient, and accessible connectivity for every Filipino. PLDT and Smart remain committed to working hand-in-hand with the government and stakeholders to deliver world-class, future-ready infrastructure that empowers communities, industries, and the nation,” said Eric Santiago, First Vice President and Head of Network Strategy and Engineering at PLDT and Smart, speaking at the 2025 Infrastructure Forum organized by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP).
Santiago, in reaction to Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda’s call to close the country’s connectivity gaps by 2028, outlined three key imperatives for PLDT and Smart: Access, Accountability, and Aspiration.
Under Access, Santiago noted that PLDT has deployed over 1.2 million cable kilometers of fiber, now passing approximately 19 million homes nationwide. This extensive fiber backbone is complemented by Smart’s mobile network, enabling 4G/LTE and 5G coverage of 97% of the population across both urban and rural areas, via use of various technologies, including microwave and signal repeaters, to connect even geographically challenging locations.
“We also have ongoing tests with Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technologies, including providers like AST SpaceMobile, to provide mobile connectivity in underserved areas,” Santiago added.
Santiago also underscored the importance of reliability and redundancy, highlighting PLDT’s investments in international subsea cables, which enhance the resiliency of PLDT’s domestic fiber network. He also cited the VITRO Sta. Rosa data center, the Philippines’ largest and first AI-ready hyperscale facility, which supports next-generation digital services, edge computing, and hyperscaler projects. “To truly be accountable, we are modernizing our entire network: from the radio access, to the core and transport layers. This allows us to adopt technologies like AI and large language models (LLM) to proactively detect faults and resolve issues quickly,” he added.
No Filipino left offline
This year, further boosting the government’s vision to narrow the digital divide, PLDT is rolling out more fiber-to-the-home ports and 5G sites to expand coverage and improve customer experience. “We will continue to work closely with government and industry stakeholders to deliver cost-effective, innovative solutions that ensure no Filipino is left offline,” he said.
The EJAP Infrastructure Forum gathered leaders from both the public and private sectors to discuss milestones and next steps in the country’s infrastructure development. With the theme “Government Infrastructure Program: What’s Been Achieved and What’s Next?”, the event was supported by major telcos including PLDT and Smart, transport, and infrastructure groups.
PLDT Group’s continued investments in its network infrastructure, data centers and connectivity align with its mission to bridge the digital divide, expand access to technology, and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—particularly SDG No 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
