MANILA, Philippines — Globe Telecom has announced that it was expanding its network to further strengthen the digital access and more reliable connectivity to homes, businesses and communities across Mindanao. In particular, Globe cited its new expansion project, the Submarine Cable Project, a 48-core, 175-kilometer network that would connect Zamboanga to Isabela City, Basilan and extending to Sulu. Globe President and COO Carl Cruz said the project included installation of the cable, inland and fronthaul infrastructure, landing stations, and access transport, as well as 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,” Cruz said in a statement emailed to The Manila Times. As data consumption continues to grow beyond 30GB per user each month, Cruz said that the company has been 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, he said. In particular, Isabela City will serve as a resilient hub for high-capacity internet in the region once the project becomes operational, according to Globe. These investments complement government efforts under the National Broadband Plan to bring connectivity to Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), it added. Jowin Marquez, Territory Lead for Network Technical Group senior director, said that reliable connectivity was transformative and would open its doors for education, support local enterprises, and help communities participate fully in the digital economy. To date, Globe said its network modernization program has migrated over 600 towns across 70 provinces to full fiber, gradually replacing older copper lines to provide faster and more stable service while reducing environmental impact. It also has invested ₱228-billion in capital expenditures and ₱236-billion in operating expenses to strengthen and future-proof its network. GFiber Prepaid, a no-contract, reloadable broadband option, has grown 53 percent in early 2025 alone, now serving 400,000 homes nationwide, contributing to Globe’s total of 1.83 million broadband subscribers, it said. “Through these strategic investments, Globe is not just rolling out infrastructure. The company is creating digital bridges that empower communities, stimulate local economies, and bring the Philippines closer to a fully connected future,” Cruz said.