If you build it, they will come. PLDT will start construction of a new segment of undersea high-speed Internet “highway” that will improve connection speeds for its broadband users.

This after the NTC, in its en banc meeting last week, approved of PLDT’s participation in the Asia Submarine-Cable Express network.

NTC:

“International submarine cables provide connectivity for international telecommunications traffic… ASE will benefit the public by providing additional capacity and higher speed.”

In January of this year, PLDT signed an agreement with telecom companies in Japan (NTT Communications), Singapore (StarHub) and Malaysia (Telekom Malaysia) to build a new fiber optic submarine cable in the APAC region.

The cable system will cost $304 million, with PLDT shelling out $55 million, inclusive of a cable landing station in Daet, Camarines Norte (this facility is expected to be completed by the third quarter of next year).

This facility/engagement is expected to improve the redundancy of PLDT’s network, augmenting its existing submarine facilities namely the Asia Pacific Network 2, Guam Pacific, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Western Europe cable systems.