Globe & Partners commission Japanese firm NTT WE Marine for last leg of $150M PH submarine cable project

Leading digital solutions platform Globe, together with Eastern Communications and Japan-affiliated telco InfiniVAN Inc, has commissioned NTT World Engineering Marine Corp. (NTT WE Marine) of Japan for the last leg of the $150m Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) project.

Leading digital solutions platform Globe, together with Eastern Communications and Japan-affiliated telco InfiniVAN Inc, has commissioned NTT World Engineering Marine Corp. (NTT WE Marine) of Japan for the last leg of the $150m Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) project.

NTT WE Marine will land and lay cables in the project’s nine remaining segments covering 13 sites until April this year through cable ship Subaru. In 2021, PDSCN tapped state-of-the-art ship Cable Infinity from Japanese vendor Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd. to connect 15 segments across the country via fibre.

"With the final phase of the PDSCN in motion, we are excited to take a major step towards our goal of nation-building through digitalisation. We are committed to completing the project to provide a #1stWorldNetwork by bringing fast and reliable connectivity to every corner of the Philippines. This is a crucial step towards bridging the digital divide and providing equitable and reliable connectivity, which is essential for the economic and social development of our country,” said Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu.

PDSCN, which covers a total cable distance of 2,500 kms, kicked off in July last year in a bid to bring fibre connectivity to previously unserved and underserved areas.

As it continues cable landings this year, PDSCN will cover the following sites: Calatrava, Romblon; Pasacao, Camarines Sur; Bulan, Sorsogon; Calbayog City, Samar; Palanas, Masbate; Mactan, Cebu; Maasin City, Southern Leyte; Claver, Surigao del Norte; Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental; Camiguin; Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte; Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte; and Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur.

NTT WE Marine, established in 1998, has a branch in the Philippines and offices in Nagasaki and Yokohama, Japan. Aside from Subaru, other cable-laying vessels of NTT WE Marine include Kizuna, Orion, and Vega.

Globe’s venture into the PDSCN project is in line with its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9, highlighting the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development, and UN SDG No. 17, which emphasises the value of partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

It has been aggressive in expanding its network to meet the growing demand for connectivity amid increased digitalisation.