Converge set to complete national fiber backbone reaching Visayas and Mindanao

Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has announced to complete its national fiber backbone network as the submarine cables to link the islands in Visayas and Mindanao are ready for installation this month.

“We started Converge nine years ago with a dream to bring the world’s best broadband technology to majority of our people, and that is fiber optics. Our mission is to reach and connect underserved and unserved areas all over the country. Now we are one step closer to fulfilling this mission as we connect the VisMin areas through our fiber backbone,” said Dennis Anthony Uy, Converge CEO and Co-Founder.

Converge mentioned that it has subscribed to a ‘Go-National’ strategy that aims for nationwide expansion of its domestic backbone, targeting to reach millions of households and businesses in further regions of the country this year. Guided by this roadmap, the company continues to extend the fiber footprint in Visayas and Mindanao areas that have yet to be covered by fiber technology.

“Converge’s expansion to the Visayas and Mindanao regions has been progressing as planned. By targeting to substantially complete our backbone by the first half of 2021, we hope to commercially launch by the second half of the year so that we can reach more provinces in need of world-class fixed broadband services,” said Converge Chief Operating Officer Jesus Romero.

The expansion includes 1,800 km of submarine sea cables, connecting more than 20 landing stations throughout the Philippines. Romero mentioned that the cable stations have already been extensively completed, and they are now awaiting the vessel that will execute the submarine cable-laying operations. These submarine sea cables are identified as the same fiber optic cables found on land-based stations but will be laid on the seabed to link the geographical challenges.

Converge has started pilot testing in Cebu. The expansion aims to cover other provinces, including Davao, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, starting with Bacolod City and Cagayan de Oro.

Converge has completed and activated approximately 55,000 fiber route kilometers. Additionally, the company reached an additional 149 cities and municipalities by the end of 2020, covering more areas in Rizal, La Union, San Juan, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, and others, now reaching a total of 316 cities and municipalities.

Meanwhile, Converge targets to reach 55% of household coverage by 2025.