MANILA, Philippines – Eastern Communications is allocating P1.04 billion in capital expenditures this year to fund its expansion and rollout of fiber network services across the country.
In a statement on Friday, the telecommunication company said the budget would “augment expansion efforts into more emerging sites and business hubs while continuing its network infrastructure improvements and restoration across the country this 2023.”
The telco, a broadband service provider jointly owned by PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom, said revenues last year grew by 7 percent on the back of rising demand for information and communication technology solutions such as cloud and cybersecurity services.
It shared that customer satisfaction score increased to 90.92 percent in 2022.
“Our 2022 customer satisfaction score shows our dedication to continuously delight our customers. We will bring this commitment with us as we expand to more areas in the country,” said Vince Tempongko, co-coordinator for the telco.
Eastern is currently constructing the $150-million Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) along with Globe Telecom and digital solutions provider InfiniVAN.
The cable-laying activity started in July last year and is expected to be completed next month.
“Upon the completion of PDSCN, we aim to see more Filipino families and businesses better connected this year. Once the fiber cables are operational, we can expect more resilient and reliable connectivity to serve the needs of the whole country,” Eastern Communications PDSCN consultant Albert Tuason had said.
The 2,500-kilometer domestic subsea cable has 33 landing points, including Lucena City, Boac in Marinduque, Calatrava in Romblon, Placer in Masbate, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Roxas City and Siargao in Surigao del Norte.
“Because of the expansion and the increase in the number and the quality of our services, there has to be a shift in our competency to provide the quality service that our customers need and expect so Eastern Communications and its people will continue to evolve,” company co-coordinator Aileen Regio said.
Last year, the company expanded services to Bacolod City and Dumaguete City in Negros; and in Legazpi City, Naga City and Sorsogon City in Bicol.
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