Navigating the Digital Seas: PLDT’s Strategic Expansion with the APRICOT Cable System

Introduction: Charting New Waters

The Philippines' leading integrated telco, PLDT Inc., has recently celebrated a significant milestone by completing the branches of the APRICOT cable system in Baler, Aurora, and Digos, Davao. This initiative not only enhances PLDT's capability to manage the country’s burgeoning data traffic but also positions the Philippines as a key player in the global telecommunications landscape. As the nation aims to become a major transit hub and a preferred destination for global hyperscalers in the region, PLDT's efforts mark a pivotal step forward.

The completion of these branches in strategic locations underscores the importance of robust infrastructure in supporting the Philippines’ digital aspirations. With the APRICOT cable system, PLDT is well-equipped to meet the rising demands of data traffic, fostering a more digitally connected society.

Strengthening Global Connectivity: The APRICOT Advantage

The APRICOT cable system, a 12,000-kilometer-long fiber-optic submarine cable, stands as a testament to technological innovation. It addresses the increasing demand for telecommunications traffic capacity in the Asia Pacific region and the US, with a system design capacity exceeding 190Tbps. This state-of-the-art infrastructure not only enhances PLDT's international capacity for data traffic but also offers alternate routes that bypass the usual waters of the West Philippine Sea.

Strategically routed to avoid the fault-prone Luzon Strait and Bashi channel, the APRICOT cable system ensures resilience against natural disruptions such as typhoons and earthquakes. With two newly built cable landing stations in Baler and Davao, it provides a fortified network that bolsters the diversity and capacity of PLDT’s existing cable system portfolio.

Elevating Digital Experiences: A Commitment to Innovation

Jojo Gendrano, Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise Business Group at PLDT and Smart, emphasizes the company's enduring commitment to digital advancement. By investing in international submarine cable systems like APRICOT, PLDT aims to propel the country's digitalization aspirations and position the Philippines as a strategic data center hub in the Asia Pacific region. These initiatives are crucial in accelerating high-capacity data services, catering to the region’s growing demand for cloud, e-commerce, and content delivery.

Through these advancements, the Philippines is primed to support next-generation technologies like 5G, IoT, and AI, thereby elevating digital experiences for both enterprises and consumers. The APRICOT cable system is not merely a technological feat; it is a catalyst for economic growth and digital transformation.

Bridging the Digital Divide: A Sustainable Vision

PLDT’s continued investment in fixed and wireless networks, ICT, data centers, and submarine cables is part of a broader commitment to bridging the digital divide. By enhancing network infrastructure, PLDT contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. These efforts aim to bring the benefits of the internet closer to more Filipinos across the country.

Butch Jimenez, Chief Operating Officer at PLDT, highlights the critical role of international submarine cable systems in supporting the exponential growth of data traffic. The APRICOT cable system not only bolsters international data traffic but also provides resilience to PLDT's domestic network between Luzon and Mindanao, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity.

PLDT’s strategic investments in the APRICOT cable system mark a new chapter in the Philippines’ digital journey. By fostering global connectivity, elevating digital experiences, and bridging the digital divide, PLDT is paving the way for a digitally empowered nation. For more information, visit pldtenterprise.com.