Japan’s telecom giant IPS Inc. has committed an additional $100 million in new investments into the Philippines for 2023 to 2024 to expand the capacity of a modern and secure gateway for the archipelago.
This announcement was made by the Philippine Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy, after he and IPS CEO Koji Miyashita signed a memorandum of support in Tokyo.
This investment aims to expand the capacity of a modern and secure gateway for the Philippines to the rest of the world via Japan, ensuring unhampered data connectivity via the Eastern Seaboard, away from the highly contested South China Sea.
Furthermore, InfiniVAN Inc., an IPS affiliate in the Philippines, has proposed an additional estimated investment of Php4 billion under a public-private partnership arrangement to expedite the deployment and connectivity of the National Broadband Plan, also known as the Broadband ng Masa Program (BBMP). This proposal is currently under consideration by the DICT.
Alexander Ramos, the executive director of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, welcomed the partnership with IPS and InfiniVAN, acknowledging it as a testament to the nation’s growing importance in the global digital landscape.
“The investment aligns seamlessly with the country’s Digital Transformation Strategy, which seeks to leverage technology for inclusive growth and progress,” said Ramos, who was also present at the Tokyo signing.
During the exploratory talks, InfiniVAN proposed acquiring dark fiber pairs on the Infinivan-led Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network to complete the BBMP’s backbone.
The discussion also included securing dark fiber-based capacities on international submarine cable systems with touch points in major hubs, such as Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, the United States, and Europe, with landing points in the Philippines.
The proposal from InfiniVAN covers 2,700 kilometers of fiber optic cable linking Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and includes 26 new landing points across the Philippines.
This significant investment and partnership with IPS and InfiniVAN support the Philippines’ efforts to enhance its digital infrastructure, a critical component for economic growth and development in an increasingly digital world.
The move also aligns with the government’s initiative to provide reliable internet access to remote areas, promoting inclusivity and progress across the nation.