MANILA, Philippines, October 20, 2012 – Telecommunications leader PLDT has partnered with seven international and local contractors for the first phase of its P1.8 billion fixed-line fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network roll-out program.

According to PLDT-Smart Technology Group Head Rolando Pena, the contractors were tasked to deliver to millions of Filipino homes the full range of broadband internet services through the ultra-fast FTTH broadband delivery platform nationwide.

The expert companies in the optical fiber and cable systems industry being tapped by PLDT in the initial rollout were Chinese telecom suppliers Huawei Technologies, FiberHome, Sunsea Telecom Ltd, and Tyco Electronics, Singapore-based Fujikura Asia Ltd, Sweden’s Ericsson Telecommunications, and a local company Fibercom Telecom Phils.

“We are fortunate that so many international and local companies are willing to partner with us in this ambitious rollout program. The overwhelming support from suppliers will enable us to deliver the ultra-fast fiber connection to Filipino homes faster,” Pena said.

The first phase of the two-year program, which costs about P1 billion, will be completed by the end of this year with some 90,000 fiber optic lines that “pass by” one million homes. As of mid-October, the PLDT Group has already laid down over 40,000 fiber optic lines, distributed in various residential areas in Metro Manila and some key provinces and cities.

“With the FTTH platform which further boosts our super-charged network and which delivers the fastest fiber data connection to the home, PLDT can provide the varying needs of different customers – from DSL service to ultra-high-speed fiber to the home,” Pena said.

The initial FTTH rollout will cover, Metro Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, Batangas, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, and Davao.

Pena explained that the nationwide FTTH expansion program will install around 240,000 access ports from which fiber links can be brought to residences by end-2013. These fiber cable facilities will “pass by” over two million homes – the potential market that can be served by these facilities.

Earlier, PLDT’s Home Business launched its ultra-fast fiber optic service known as PLDT Fibr. With an internet speed of up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps), PLDT Fibr is now serving upscale residential villages nationwide, including Forbes Park, Dasmarinas Village, and Ayala Alabang.

Soon to experience the FTTH convenience are subdivisions in the following areas: Makati City - Bel-Air Village 1, 2, & 3; Cebu City– Beverly Hills Subd., and Ma. Luisa Estate; Naga City – Jardin De Real; Las Pinas – Portofino Courtyard 3 & Widelots; Cavite – The Parkplace Village, Imus, Ayala Westgrove Heights, and Panderosa Leisure Farm, Silang.