Isabela City, Basilan -- Globe Telecom is launching a major Submarine Cable Project aimed at expanding high-speed internet access to homes, businesses, and communities across the BaSulTa region, which includes Isabela de Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
Central to the effort is a 48-core, 175-kilometer network that will connect Zamboanga to Isabela City, Basilan and extend to Sulu. The project scope includes the installation of the cable, inland and fronthaul infrastructure, landing stations, and the deployment of core and access network nodes to support both broadband and mobile services.
“This is more than infrastructure. It is a bridge to opportunity,” said Globe president and CEO Carl Cruz. “As data consumption continues to grow beyond 30GB per user each month, we are expanding fiber and broadband not just to connect homes, but to empower small businesses and fuel the broader digital economy.”
The submarine cable survey is scheduled to start in early 2026, with full construction expected by mid-2027. Once operational, Isabela City will serve as a resilient hub for high-capacity internet in the region.
These investments complement government efforts under the National Broadband Plan to bring connectivity to Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas.
Jowin Marquez, senior director of Territory Lead for Network Technical Group, said reliable connectivity "opens doors for education, supports local enterprises, and helps communities participate fully in the digital economy.”
The initiative is part of Globe’s broader network modernization program, which has migrated over 600 towns across 70 provinces to full fiber. Over the past three years, the company has invested P228 billion in capital expenditures to strengthen its network.
Globe's GFiber Prepaid, a no-contract, reloadable broadband option, now serves 400,000 homes nationwide, contributing to the company's total of 1.83 million broadband subscribers.