Philippine Telcos Propose $500M Subsea Cable

John Tanner, Developing Telecoms
August 3, 2026

Three Philippine operators—PLDT, Globe Telecom and Converge ICT Solutions—have presented the Department of Information and Communications Technology with a reported US$500m plan for a new domestic subsea fibre network. Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda disclosed the proposal during a recent roundtable, according to reporting cited by Developing Telecoms.

The proposed route would span the country from Batanes to Palawan and include branches serving the Visayas and Mindanao. Connections to international landing stations would add paths for traffic moving both within the Philippines and overseas, while providing additional national capacity.

The concept also includes sensors intended to detect seismic activity associated with earthquakes and tsunamis. Data gathered in real time could support disaster preparedness and may have national-defense applications, Aguda said. That monitoring function would give the proposed telecom system a role beyond carrying communications traffic.

DICT is evaluating the operators’ submission. If approved, the new system would complement the government’s National Fiber Backbone rather than replace it. Work on phases four and five of that terrestrial program is expected to finish before year-end. Developing Telecoms reported that the proposed subsea build could be completed within two years after approval. The proposal remains under review, so construction and service dates have not yet been confirmed.

View source