InfiniVAN & Partners Acquire PDSCN In The Queen City Of The South

During the recently held Ceremonial Cable Pulling Event of the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) in Mactan Island, Cebu on October 14, InfiniVAN, Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed IPS, Inc. (TSE: 4390) and a broadband-centric Philippine telecommunications and digital solutions provider, continued its push for a future-proof digital infrastructure for the country. This joint construction project began in Subic, Zambales, last July. When a portion of PDSCN landed in Siargao in September, a similar event took place.

Lapu-Lapu City’s Honorable Vice Mayor Celedonio “Celsi” Sitoy, accompanied by Municipal Councilors and executives and representatives from InfiniVAN, Eastern Telecommunications, and Globe Telecom, presided over the event. This event brings the project closer to completing the “Express Route” of the PDSCN by the end of the year. It is anticipated that the remainder of the PDSCN will be operational by the end of Q2 2023, with the southernmost segment landing in Zamboanga.

This $150 million joint-build project is a collaboration between InfiniVAN, Globe, and Eastern Communications, as well as world-class technology partners and suppliers, such as Nexans, Kokusai Cable Ship Co., Ltd., Fleet Marine Cable Solutions, Inc., SJA Business Consultation and Liaison Services, and Kyotosh. The PDSCN is anticipated to provide the benefits of fiber connectivity nationwide, including in some remote areas of the Philippines, and contribute to the realization of more reliable digital connectivity to boost business and economic growth across the nation.

According to Mr. Alberto “Abet” Espedido, Chief Technology Officer of InfiniVAN, “This PDSCN Project is the largest subsea installation in the Philippines. With four touch points, Cebu/Mactan automatically becomes the main hub, reflecting the economic situation in the region, where Cebu has been the center of commerce in the Visayas and Mindanao islands for centuries. Cebu is now at the forefront of digitally connecting the nation’s islands.”

Mr. Espedido also stated that this project could serve as a precursor to the eventual arrival of international submarine cable systems in Cebu. Notably, the majority of international submarine cable systems are currently terminated in Luzon, but the realities of the connectivity industry require route diversity for network reliability and robust performance. Engr. Edgardo Opulencia, Chief Operating Officer of InfiniVAN, added that this project bodes well for the development of connectivity-driven strategic industries, such as BPOs, digital content development, and hyperscale data centers, among others. InfiniVAN will also initiate the construction of its fiber optic backbone infrastructure in Cebu by the end of the year.

The next stop for the PDSCN is Boracay Island.

To learn more about InfiniVAN, Inc., visit www.infinivan.com.