Blog — April 21, 2026
PTS’26: Insights on the Philippines' fixed network infrastructure, solutions
By Fed Mendoza
At the Philippine Tech Show: Level Up 2026, held March 24-26 at SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, Philippines, government regulators, internet service providers (ISPs), and industry experts convened to discuss the present and future of fixed connectivity in the Philippines, showcasing strategies that span submarine cable systems, fiber optic network backbones, data centers, and last-mile connectivity solutions.
Alvin Blanco, Deputy Commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), opened by outlining the implementing rules and regulations of the Konektadong Pinoy Act. Blanco explained that the law aims to promote open access and a competitive market for data transmission and internet services, lower regulatory barriers for both established and emerging service providers, and provide consumers with high-quality, affordable, and secure connectivity. Existing internet providers will automatically transition to "data transmission industry provider" status without disruption. In addition, to encourage broader participation and expand internet access in underserved and remote communities, last-mile providers, primarily cable operators, will not be required to post a performance bond. Blanco noted that last-mile providers can now operate at a provincial level with licenses valid for up to five years. The NTC has established expedited and streamlined registration processes, with application forms and guidelines already available online.
The foundation of the Philippines' digital ambitions rests on international and domestic infrastructure. Arvin Siena, vice president and head of network design and engineering at PLDT Inc., shared infrastructure backbone network updates, with an overview of how the industry is experiencing accelerating demand driven by the expansion of the digital economy, rapid growth of cloud computing, the rollout of 5G networks, and the rise of AI. Siena noted that submarine cables typically have an economic lifespan of 15 to 20 years before newer systems with significantly higher capacity make them less competitive. At present, 12 international submarine cables and nine stations connect the Philippines to the rest of the world. According to Siena, seven more cables and six new stations are underway for the future. In addition, he presented on seven upcoming key submarine cable projects scheduled between 2026 and 2029, with investments from international and regional telecom consortia. These projects would install about 68,000 additional kilometers of submarine cable, positioning the Philippines as a global connectivity hub.
Jake Bueno, senior global account manager at PLDT, expanded on this infrastructure narrative by connecting global capacity to local needs. Bueno discussed how customer expectations have evolved dramatically, noting that in today's era, customers are willing to spend significantly in the name of experience and convenience, and whoever owns the experience owns the market. He traced the evolution from the voice-centric era through the data explosion with 3G and 4G, to the current 5G era, where everything runs on data in real time, and finally to the surge of AI, which requires intelligent and adaptive networks rather than "dumb pipes."
The translation of this infrastructure into tangible community impact was articulated by Alelei Jesette Aguas, AVP and head of international and wholesale sales at Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc. Aguas positioned Converge ICT not merely as an ISP but as a "builder of the digital highways that power the internet." She explained that Converge operates over 890,000 kilometers of fiber optics nationwide, which she described as the core "digital highway" carrying data across the Philippines and connecting to international subsea cable investments. She highlighted how fiber infrastructure has transformed specific sectors, such as logistics services (real-time tracking, faster transactions, improved customer interactions), hospitality management (top-notch internet experience meeting global standards to
improve guest experience), and healthcare (fiber-to-the-room technology for telemedicine and real-time data access).
The practical realities of connectivity and rethinking ISP value were addressed by Butch Velasquez, solutions marketing head for Globe Telecom Inc., who advocated for using the right connectivity for the right job. Velasquez explained that traditional performance measurement for telcos focused on megabits per second (Mbps), whereas the industry now focuses on customers' "EPS," or "experiences per second." He identified three major challenges affecting performance "experience": latency, the delay experienced when sending requests to servers; jitter, or connection stability; and packet loss, where not all data transfers are successful.
These comprehensive insights from telco industry leaders align with the current state of Philippine fixed broadband as reflected in recent S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan data. Fixed-broadband subscribers are projected to grow strongly from 2025 to 2032, with total broadband households expected to increase from 10.9 million to 18.4 million, representing a 6.4% compound annual growth rate over seven years. This expansion is driven by fiber households growing from 9.1 million in 2025 to 17.1 million in 2032, while the technology's market share is projected to rise from 83.3% to 93.1%.
The challenge ahead lies in translating this infrastructure and policy framework into lived reality for every Filipino, particularly those in the most remote islands and underserved communities that have been historically left behind in previous waves of technological advancement. The commitment expressed by industry leaders to inclusive connectivity, coupled with regulatory reforms designed to lower barriers for last-mile providers, suggests that the Philippines is well-positioned to achieve the vision of universal, affordable, and high-quality internet access.
Global Broadband & Pay TV is a regular feature from S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan.
This article was published by S&P Global Market Intelligence and not by S&P Global Ratings, which is a separately managed division of S&P Global.