PLDT Inc. said it bolstered its global network infrastructure with support from a unit of shareholder NTT Group of Japan.
It said in a statement that this was done by its 100 gigabit-per-second (100Gbps) connectivity powered by NTT Com’s Tier 1 Global IP backbone.
“This ultra-high capacity will help PLDT improve internet speed for both individual and enterprise customers,” PLDT said.
The NTT Group has been a strategic partner of PLDT since 2000 with NTT Docomo and NTT Com owning about 20 percent of PLDT’s outstanding common stock as of end-June 2016, the statement showed.
“Strengthening our connectivity with NTT Com’s industry-leading Tier 1 IP backbone provides a solid foundation for PLDT and our customers to adopt new business models that will enable all to transform digitally and to connect the Philippines with the global market seamlessly,” PLDT chair and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said.
“We chose NTT Com because of our long-standing strategic partnership that goes back many years. NTT Com has been a leader in the global telecom space, having made significant investments in network infrastructure and the delivery of highly reliable services,” he added.
PLDT said the Philippines along with the rest of Asia had seen an upsurge in demand for international bandwidth, with a significant 300-percent growth over the last four years.
“In this increasingly connected world, bandwidth has become a critical accelerator for business and individuals, which is the reason why we continually invest in upgrading our network technology and infrastructure,” Hideaki Ozaki, president and CEO of NTT Com Asia Ltd., said in the same statement.
“We believe the enhanced connectivity for PLDT will largely increase its capacity in handling the anticipated massive explosion of data driven by the rise of disruptive technologies such as Cloud, Big Data, IoT and video streaming,” he added.
With the 100Gbps connectivity, PLDT said it would be able to handle traffic bursts and scale-up faster to accommodate subscriber demands.
“Higher speeds translate to faster data transmission and thus, improve efficiencies for PLDT and its customers,” Pangilinan added. “Coupled with PLDT’s initiatives to expand and upgrade its access and transport networks, this network infrastructure enhancement will definitely help PLDT improve internet services in the Philippines.”
Backed by top-ranked Tier 1 IP backbone, NTT Com Global IP Network Service provides high-speed, high-capacity IP connectivity covering Asia, North America, Europe and Oceania.