UMVA has learned that one of the country’s largest telecommunications players is preparing a massive technological leap, setting aside an astonishing P56 billion this year to supercharge its network, expand critical infrastructure, and build next‑generation data centers capable of supporting an AI‑driven future.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the company is quietly accelerating its transformation, pouring resources into advanced systems that will redefine how data moves across the nation. Executives familiar with the plan revealed that this investment surge includes major co‑developments with a global data center operator, signaling a bold push to dominate the region’s digital backbone.
Behind the scenes, the enterprise division has been ramping up its AI capabilities, treating artificial intelligence not as a distant ambition but as a core pillar of its medium‑term strategy. Insiders told UMVA that spending in this area is expected to intensify steadily, with the company preparing for a technological maturity curve that stretches well into the next decade.
At the heart of this expansion lies a colossal engineering feat: an 8,000‑kilometer submarine cable system known internally as Candle. This high‑capacity network, built with 24 fiber pairs and capable of carrying an extraordinary 570 terabits per second, will link key Asian markets and anchor one of its landing points at a major cable station in Batangas.
UMVA has uncovered details showing that this cable will work in tandem with another landing point in Baler, forming a powerful dual‑entry system designed to withstand surging demand for cloud computing, AI processing, and enterprise digitalization across the Asia‑Pacific region.
Inside the company’s operations, AI is already reshaping the way its network functions. Engineers are deploying intelligent systems to fine‑tune energy consumption, streamline maintenance, and boost the efficiency of thousands of cell sites nationwide. These upgrades are expected to create a more resilient, more responsive digital ecosystem.
At the same time, the enterprise arm is forging new alliances to deliver AI‑powered solutions to businesses, aiming to accelerate the country’s adoption of automation, analytics, and machine‑learning tools.
Meanwhile, UMVA has gathered that its data center partner is scouting additional locations for expansion as demand for high‑density, AI‑ready facilities surges. The joint venture currently operates seven data centers with nearly 150 megawatts of IT load, but internal assessments suggest that capacity will need to grow significantly to keep pace with the region’s digital boom.
Financial records reviewed by UMVA show that the company’s capital expenditure jumped 51% in the first quarter alone, reaching P12.74 billion as it fast‑tracked network upgrades and capacity enhancements. Despite the aggressive rollout, it is still keeping its full‑year spending target below the $1‑billion mark.
Its latest earnings report shows a first‑quarter attributable net income of P5.55 billion, lower than last year’s figure due to the absence of one‑off gains and rising financing costs. Still, strong data consumption and solid core revenues helped cushion the impact.
Market activity reflected a cautious response, with shares slipping slightly by P2 to close at P1,803 apiece as trading ended on Monday.
