PLDT boosts home fiber connectivity in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — Telco giant PLDT Inc. will finish the year expanding its connectivity reach in Mindanao as part of its commitment to provide internet access to remote communities.

PLDT said it has installed fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) ports to 17,000 barangays as of September, covering about 40 percent of all barangays in the Philippines.

For the rest of the year, PLDT said it would focus on improving its network in Mindanao by setting up additional fiber and wireless infrastructure in the island.

In particular, PLDT will add around 6,000 FTTH lines in Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental and Davao City. It will also put up new wireless sites in the region before 2022 ends.

PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. rolled out new mobile sites and base stations in Northern Mindanao, including Cagayan de Oro. The firm also raised additional LTE facilities  in the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental.

PLDT network head Eric Santiago said  they would  keep on investing in infrastructure upgrade across the archipelago to reach even the far-flung areas.

“PLDT’s stepped-up rollout in Mindanao and across the country is aligned with our commitment to deliver leveled-up services to more Filipinos nationwide,” he said.

Smart has put up 77,200 base stations, including close to 7,300 5G sites and 40,000 LTE facilities, allowing it to service at least 97 percent of the population with 3G, LTE and 5G.