PLDT Inc. said on Thursday it has “reaccelerated” its network builds, integrating process improvements as well as the deployment of cloud-based, intelligent, and automated tech solutions.
Roderick Santiago, the company’s FVP and Network Head, said this is part of the capital investments guidance of the telco titan that amounts to P80 billion to P85 billion.
“Following a deep-dive review of our internal processes in line with our transformation efforts, we are reaccelerating our network rollout. Capex [capital expenditures] guidance for 2023 is P80 to P85 billion and includes investments in capacity to support growing mobile traffic and to support demand for home broadband.”
Santiago did not elaborate on the “process improvements” and the specific technologies to be deployed.
“The heart and soul of PLDT and Smart are our strong and resilient, award-winning fixed and wireless networks, which we are continuously optimizing to further improve customer experience and achieve cost and operational efficiencies,” he said.
As of end-March, PLDT had expanded its total fiber footprint to over 1.1 million kilometers, consisting of over 231,000 kilometers of international fiber and over 874,000 kilometers of domestic fiber.
This fiber infrastructure also supports Smart’s 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, and 5G network, which cover 97 percent of the country’s population as of end-March.
PLDT has implemented a more prudent and stricter spending process, following its budget overspend of P48 billion—an amount that was reduced to P33 billion after negotiations with suppliers.