PH to get AI-ready internet with regional submarine cable system

The Philippines is set to benefit from expanded AI-ready connectivity infrastructure through a new 8,900-kilometer subsea cable system backed by a regional consortium of telecom players and major tech firms.

In a statement, Globe Telecom Inc. announced its participation in the Asia United Gateway East (AUG East) submarine cable consortium. The system aims to enhance digital infrastructure across East Asia and support the growing bandwidth needs driven by artificial intelligence and cloud computing.

AUG East will link Singapore and Japan with landing points in the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, South Korea, and Taiwan. The project is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2029.

The consortium is chaired by Singapore-based Singtel and includes key players such as Arteria Networks (Japan), Chunghwa Telecom (Taiwan), Dreamline (South Korea), Telekom Malaysia, Unified National Networks (Brunei), as well as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft from the United States. Japanese technology firm NEC Corporation has been contracted to build the system.

Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz said the project is a strategic step in strengthening the country’s digital backbone, adding that “this new data superhighway will help Philippine businesses scale globally and embrace digital innovation.”

Citing a study by research firm Omdia, Globe noted that traffic from AI and AI-enhanced applications is expected to exceed traditional internet usage by 2031. The telco emphasized that this trend makes long-term investment in resilient, high-capacity networks critical.

The new high-count fibre cable system is designed to meet rising demand for ultra-high-speed data transmission, supporting uses such as cloud services, fintech, and digital entertainment. It will also improve network reliability and regional connectivity.

Globe Business Vice President Raymond Policarpio said the project positions the Philippines as a stronger hub in the digital economy. “By securing our stake in this vital digital thoroughfare, we are enabling local enterprises to compete globally and drive technological advancement,” he said.

AUG East Chairman Alan Tan called the initiative a response to increasing demand for robust digital infrastructure, saying it would “play a critical role in advancing digital inclusion and catalysing economic growth across the region.”