Eastern Communications earmarks P3-B capex for ‘pivotal’ 2022

Eastern Communications, a broadband provider jointly owned by PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom, is budgeting P3 billion to expand its coverage area in 2022.

In a statement, Eastern said it would extend its reach to Legazpi City, Sorsogon City, Naga City, Bacolod City and Dumaguete City within the first quarter of the year. By the second quarter, services will be activated in Kalibo, Boracay, Zamboanga, Butuan and Bohol.

“As a communications and technology solutions partner, it is our ultimate goal to rally companies in different parts of the country to leverage technology, to be better, and to emerge in this pivotal year,” Eastern Communications co-coordinator Vince Tempongko said in a statement.

“This expansion will enable more businesses outside Metro Manila to accelerate their productivity, enhance their capabilities and eventually provide more opportunities in their communities,” he added.

The current expansion budget was larger than its estimated P2.8-billion spending last year.

This supported its network rollout in Tuguegarao, Batangas, Lucena, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro and Davao City and augmented existing coverage areas in Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Pampanga, Baguio and Cebu.

Specialized IDS

“Over the years, Eastern Communications has always been dedicated to improving our services and growing our footprint, so we are definitely looking forward to equip enterprise businesses as well as [small and medium-sized enterprises] in regional areas with high-quality solutions that fit their needs,” Eastern Communications co-coordinator Aileen Regio said in the same statement. The company is also expanding through partnerships.

It earlier announced a tieup with the Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association to offer specialized internet direct service (IDS) for cable television operators.

IDS is a premium dedicated internet connection that uses fiber optic technology. It is capable of providing gigabit per second connections between the Philippines and peering partners in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the United States and Europe.

Eastern explained this was a high-speed internet service ideal for customers with “round-the-clock transactions,” such as enterprises.

Eastern was among the companies acquired by PLDT and Globe in 2016 after the two joined forces to buy out conglomerate San Miguel Corp.’s telecommunications assets.

Its business and data solutions include Eastern Cloud, Office 365, Eastern CyberDefense and Eastern Home.

—Miguel R. Camus