Broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has partnered with Nasdaq-listed Infinera Corp. to supply submarine line terminal equipment (SLTE) for the Philippine branch of the Bifrost Cable System and to upgrade its terrestrial fiber assets across the country. This collaboration is part of Converge’s efforts to enhance its subsea and terrestrial infrastructure, supporting growing bandwidth demands.
The Bifrost Cable System, spanning over 15,000 kilometers and connecting the American West Coast, Guam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore, is expected to complete by year-end. Converge, which invested at least PHP 5 billion (USD 88 million) to participate in the project, will link the system to the Philippines through Davao, creating a new international data receptor.
Converge CEO Dennis Anthony Uy highlighted Infinera’s subsea networking expertise and innovative solutions that would allow the company to scale cost-effectively while extending its reach. The partnership aligns with Converge’s goal to expand its fiber network, which currently spans over 707,000 kilometers and serves 2.35 million subscribers.
The company has allocated PHP 12–14 billion (USD 210–245 million) for 2024 capital expenditures, focusing on subsea cables and data centers, with PHP 4.7 billion (USD 82 million) spent in the first half of the year. Converge expects to accelerate spending in the latter half to settle payments for subsea projects, aiming to support increasing demand for connectivity across the Asia-Pacific region.
(Source: Philippine Star)
