Is Philippines’ laws on underwater cables lagging behind its digital hub goal?
Analysts warn that slow approvals and fragmented oversight could undermine the country's subsea cable ambitions.
Quick Look
The Philippines' telecommunications industry seeks to transform the nation into a regional digital hub anchored by underwater cables, though analysts warn slow repair approvals and fragmented oversight threaten the goal.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Philippines is seeking to expand its digital connectivity infrastructure by leveraging its strategic geographic location in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Philippines’ telco industry wants the country to become a regional digital hub anchored by underwater cables, but analysts warn that slow approvals for repairs, limited monitoring and fragmented official oversight could undermine the ambition.
At a forum on archipelagic governance for subsea cables, PLDT, the Philippines’ largest telecommunications company, called for greater cooperation among government agencies and further reforms to expand the vital digital nodes connecting the country to the world.
While the Philippines’ strategic location in Asia-Pacific presented an opportunity for it to be a key connection point for submarine cables, it would need to invest in high-value assets and simplify approvals for cable deployment and repair work, Albert Villa-Real, president and CEO of PLDT Global, said at the forum on September 29, according to a report by the Philippine Star.
“The Philippines should not think of itself simply as the end point of these international cables. Our ambition should be to become a major digital crossroad of Asia-Pacific,” he added.
Open Questions
- What specific reforms will the government implement for cable approvals?
