PLDT expands fiber-powered fixed line

MANILA, Philippines – As the battleground for telcos shifts to fixed lines, PLDT Inc. is expanding the reach of its fiber-powered fixed line network by 80 percent to cover 4.4 million homes by year-end.

“We are stepping up our efforts to deliver unrivalled internet services to more homes in various parts of the country, from the Ilocos provinces in the North to Zamboanga in the South,” PLDT chairman and chief executive officer Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

PLDT’s fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) service is considered the most powerful broadband in the country as it can deliver internet speeds of up to one gigabit per second (Gbps), allowing users to browse multiple websites, upload hundreds of photos, and download a full-length movie within seconds.

Oscar Enrico Reyes, PLDT first vice president and head of home operations said PLDT HOME Fibr is also the first in the country to offer symmetrical speed service, providing equal upload and download speeds.

Through the symmetrical speed service, households could better enjoy entertainment from PLDT’s digital partners like iflix, Fox Networks Group, Netflix, Roku and iWant TV, as well as popular multiplayer online games like League of Legends, Vainglory, Super Mario Run and Dota 2.

“PLDT Home Fibr also provides a more robust platform for a growing range of Smart Home services.  For example, home security services such as FamCam, the monitoring device that makes it possible for parents to watch over their family wherever they are, as well as FamZone which allows them to keep their children safe online,” Reyes said.

At present, the following areas have fiber-powered internet connections: Laoag, Baguio City, Vigan City and Tuguegarao in Northern Luzon; Tarlac, Cabanatuan City, and San Fernando, Pampanga in Central Luzon; and Puerto Princesa and El Nido in Palawan, down to the Bicol region cities of Sorsogon, Naga and Legazpi.

Also fiber-ready are major urban areas in the Visayas region including the cities of Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo, Tacloban and Tagbilaran.

In Mindanao, PLDT’s fiber has already reached key provinces and cities including Cotabato, Davao, General Santos City, Koronadal and Zamboanga.