Infinivan boosts network with participation in Philippines’ longest fiber optic cable

MANILA, Philippines — Infinivan Inc., a subsidiary of Japan-listed IPS Inc. and bulk bandwidth supplier to the largest internet service providers (ISPs) in the Philippines, has further strengthened its position as it joined two leading telcos in laying down the country’s longest submarine fiber optic cable network.

Along with Eastern Communications and Globe Telecom, Infinivan took part in the commencement ceremony of the cable laying phase of the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) held last month in Subic, Zambales.

With over 20 Tbps of lit capacity in multiple international submarine cable systems, Infinivan would now be in a position to distribute internet connectivity to its wholesale, enterprise and residential customers throughout the Philippines by spearheading the laying of 2,500+ kilometers of fiber optic cables connecting Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The joint-build partners have decided to utilize cables manufactured by Nexans, a global fiber optic cable manufacturer.

This project goes hand-in-hand with Infinivan’s backbone Fiber Optic Network Infrastructure push beyond the National Capital Region, where it started its network buildout after obtaining its congressional telco franchise in July 2016.

Having been granted authority by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to provide broadband services nationwide, Infinivan is now mainly focused on delivering bulk bandwidth for retail distribution by the largest cable TV operators in the country, whose main business has now shifted from being content distributors to that of being ISPs. Infinivan’s parent, IPS Inc., holds a Type I telecommunications carrier license in Japan.

This $150-million joint-build project of the three telcos targets to enhance the coverage and reliability of broadband connections, both fixed and mobile, throughout the country.

“Notwithstanding all the challenges that we had to face, it is indeed gratifying to see ‘coopetition’ making these endeavors possible,” said Infinivan’s chief technology officer Alberto Espedido.

A portion of the project called the “Express Route” is set to be ready for service by the end of this year. The rest of the segments are set to be completed and usable by April 2023.