New vessel deployed for Philippines longest subsea cable system

MANILA, Philippines — The consortium installing the longest undersea cable system in the Philippines has sent off a new vessel to lay down fiber assets in the final nine segments of the project.

Eastern Communications yesterday said the group has deployed the cable ship CS Subaru, operated by NTT World Engineering Marine Corp., to place the fiber cables that would make up the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN).

PDSCN, a joint effort between Eastern Communications, Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. and internet provider InfiniVAN Inc., seeks to host broadband connectivity and extend fiber services in underserved areas across the archipelago.

Eastern Communications consultant for the PDSCN Albert Tuason said CS Subaru is tasked to complete the remaining stages of the project. Under the plan, the ship will lay down fiber cables in Calatrava, Romblon; Pasacao, Camarines Sur; Bulan, Sorsogon; Calbayog City, Samar; and Palanas, Masbate.

Afterward, CS Subaru will head to Mactan, Cebu; Maasin City, Leyte; Claver, Surigao del Norte; and Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental. The vessel will then set out for Camiguin; Dipolog and Liloy in Zamboanga del Norte; and Zamboanga City for the concluding part of the PDSCN.

Last year, the consortium managed to lay down the infrastructure for the first 15 segments of the  PDSCN, including in urban areas and tourist hotspots.

“Upon the completion of the PDSCN, we aim to see more Filipino families and businesses better connected this year,” Tuason said.

“Once the fiber cables are operational, we can expect more resilient and reliable connectivity to serve the needs of the whole country,” he said.

With the PDSCN, Tuason said the consortium hopes to provide broadband and mobile services nationwide, especially in remote areas. Through this, the group aims to support the government in promoting digitalization, e-governance and innovation even in the regions.

In particular, Tuason said the PDSCN seeks to expand fiber connectivity in areas frequented by typhoons. Also, the underwater cable system intends to support the digital transition and serve the connectivity needs of both residential and enterprise customers.

Prior to the change in cable-laying ship, the consortium behind the PDSCN had tapped the state-of-the-art vessel Cable Infinity owned by Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd. to land the fiber assets of the project.

Eastern Communications, Globe and InfiniVAN will spend $150 million to lay down the PDSCN, set to be the longest of its kind in the Philippines, with the target of activating it by April.