Eastern Communications said it is spending P2.8 billion this year to further upgrades and expands its connectivity and ICT services nationwide this year. 

The company said the expansion plans will cover wider service areas, including Davao City, Cagayan De Oro, Dumaguete, Tagbilaran, Bacolod, Roxas, Kalibo, Caticlan, Boracay, Naga, Legazpi, Iriga, and Sorsogon.

Eastern Communications has started laying fiber optic cables to address requirements of companies in central business districts and has placed strategic hubs in various regional locations in order to better serve the local enterprises in the area. 

While many of Eastern Communications’ ICT solutions are already available across the country, the company will expand more services to empower various locations in line with the “Digital Cities” program, a government initiative geared towards sustaining the rapid growth of the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector and promote countryside development.

“We commend the efforts of Eastern Communications to broaden and strengthen their network within and beyond Metro Manila as it is supportive of our goal to drive inclusive growth in the countryside through the Digital Cities 2025 program,” said Rey E. Untal, IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) president and chief executive said.

“These expansion plans will provide Philippine-based businesses much-needed access to innovative services and faster, more reliable internet connection—critical tools to forge ahead in this New Normal,” he added.

The network modernization program started last year, and despite the pandemic, Eastern Communications continued its expansion project which will likely run throughout 2021. 

The telco already concluded its network expansion in Iloilo and Tuguegarao. 

“Eastern will continue this trend and we plan to be available nationwide in the next few years. This is an exciting time of growth for all of us and we, as a telecommunications company, look forward to being a big part of the Philippines’ stronger tomorrow,” said Eastern Communications Co-coordinator, Atty. Aileen Regio.