Converge to double data transmission capacity

MANILA, Philippines — Fiber internet services provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. plans to double the data transmission capacity of its metro backbone, allowing high-speed data transfers to accommodate next-generation technologies.

Converge is gearing up to increase its metro backbone’s data transmission capacity to 800 Gigabit per second (Gbps) from the existing 400 Gbps.

The network upgrade, it said, is another infrastructure investment aimed at improving the services the company offers to customers and future-proof its network.

“Developments in cloud computing, big data, virtual reality, combined with the increasing demands on remote storage and streaming technology is creating massive demand on our network and data centers,” Converge chief executive officer Dennis Anthony Uy said.

“We want to respond to the high-capacity needs of our network and customers, and to be able to accommodate any new-generation technologies they may have,” he said.

Converge last year activated the country’s first 400 Gbps metro backbone utilizing industry-leading optical solutions from a US-based networking systems, services and software company.

The deployment provided Converge with a programmable and dynamic setup of connections that increases adaptability and resiliency.

Converge said the metro backbone connects multiple networks together, allowing them to communicate with each other and push traffic between and among them.

By upgrading the backbone to 800 Gbps, the company said it would dramatically result to more data being pushed through data centers, decreased latency, and high-speed data transfers needed for next-generation technologies such as the Internet of Things and smart cities.

Converge chief operating officer Jesus Romero said the capacity upgrade would also be enough to download over 20 high definition movies in one second.

“At the same time, this latest technology allows us to use less hardware to efficiently deliver our services, limits the possibility of congestion whether in normal or outage situations, and reduces our energy consumption and cost,” Romero said.

As of end-March, Converge has passed over seven million homes or around 28 percent of total households in the country.

It targets to end the year with up to 1.7 million subscribers.

The company continues to introduce innovations in the fiber optic broadband space as it aims to reach 55 percent of total Philippine households with its pure fiber connectivity by 2025.

Converge is also in talks with companies such as Space Exploration Technologies Corp. of tech magnate Elon Musk as it explores latest satellite technologies to bring high-speed broadband to far-flung areas in the country.