Telco expands network coverage in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Telco firm Eastern Communications said it is expanding its network coverage to Cebu's south and north areas as business activity continues to penetrate the countryside.

Mark Pepino, regional operations head, said the firm is expanding its fiber optic facilities outside of Metro Cebu. It current network covers the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

"We've expanded in the south. We're now in San Fernando and Carcar," he said in an interview Thursday night.

By the third quarter of this year, he said the company is looking at Cebu's north areas for the expansion, citing the potential of businesses putting up shop in the countryside.

Eastern's main clients are companies, which include BPOs, universities, hospitals, logistics, hotels, manufacturing firms and ESL (English as a Second Language) schools.

Pepino said companies bringing their operations in the countryside are also helping boost rural economic activity.

In May, the company had announced it would invest P850 million this year to expand its network coverage.

It said the spending is to boost the company’s ongoing network modernization program.

The capex is alloted for the expansion of network coverage to new markets and improvement of the services, it said.

The firm said it had already invested P2-3 billion over the past two to three years for ramping up its network.

In 2018, its net income grew 34% to P906 million, driven by the expansion of its network coverage and growth in small and medium enterprise customers.