Telecom giant PLDT (formerly known as Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company) has expanded its domestic fibre optic network (DFON) in Mindanao, which it claims will help provide more reliable internet connectivity. PLDT has stated that the fibre optic cables were installed underground, and were thus less vulnerable to damage caused by strong winds, falling trees and utility poles. The PhP 1 billion project, spanning 300 km, will add resiliency to PLDT’s transmission backbone for home and business customers in Mindanao. The fibre optic infrastructure runs through Agusandel Norte, Agusandel Sur, Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur. The project will help customers using PLDT’s fixed and mobile phone networks in Mindanao to experience better voice, data and multimedia services. PLDT expects the additional resiliency to complement the boosted capacity in the DFON facilities in the area, which has over 300 Gbps already installed in the local loop; capacity is targeted to be raised to 400 Gbps by the end of 2017.
