TELECOM | PLDT, Smart step up efforts for inclusive digital access

PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications are ramping up their investments in digital infrastructure to support the government’s push for universal connectivity by 2028.

At the 2025 Infrastructure Forum hosted by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines, PLDT and Smart executives reaffirmed their commitment to bridging the country’s digital divide through improved access, reliability, and innovation.

“We share the government’s aspiration to provide inclusive, resilient, and accessible connectivity for every Filipino,” said Eric Santiago, PLDT and Smart’s head of network strategy and engineering. “We remain committed to working hand-in-hand with the government and stakeholders to deliver world-class, future-ready infrastructure.”

Santiago outlined the telco group’s key priorities—access, accountability, and aspiration—emphasizing PLDT’s fiber infrastructure that now spans over 1.2 million cable kilometers and reaches around 19 million homes. Complemented by Smart’s mobile network, the companies say their combined services now cover 97% of the population, including remote and hard-to-reach areas through technologies like signal repeaters and microwave links.

To expand reach even further, the group is piloting space-based internet services using Low Earth Orbit satellites, including partnerships with firms like AST SpaceMobile.

Network reliability is also in focus, with continued investment in international subsea cables and the VITRO Sta. Rosa data center—the country’s largest and the first AI-ready hyperscale facility. Santiago said the company is modernizing its entire network using AI and large language models to proactively detect and resolve service issues.

The company is also rolling out more fiber-to-the-home ports and 5G sites this year, reinforcing its goal of ensuring that no Filipino is left offline.

PLDT and Smart’s digital infrastructure investments align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9, which promotes resilient infrastructure and innovation to drive inclusive growth.

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