PLDT, Smart Communications Lead Telecom Infra Protection in 2024

​PLDT, Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are leading nationwide efforts to protect the country's critical telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring reliable connectivity and continuous customer service across the country, in collaboration with public and private stakeholders such as local government units and communities.

​“Protecting our infrastructure is not just about safeguarding our business operations—it is about ensuring that our customers and communities can rely on uninterrupted connectivity and technology that are essential for our country's development within a safe and secure cyber environment,” said Atty. Roy Ibay, Vice President and Head of Regulatory at Smart and convenor of PROTECTA Pilipinas, a public-private alliance which aims to protect tech and telco infrastructure across the country.

The coalition's launch was spearheaded by PLDT, Smart, and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), with representatives from the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunication Operators, advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines, public policy think tank Infrawatch PH, the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, PLDT, Smart, the Federation of International Cable TV Association of the Philippines, and Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

PLDT has also worked closely with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to guarantee that fiber optic cables are not accidentally destroyed during road construction, particularly during road digging and excavation activities.

In addition to collaborating with the government and other industry stakeholders, the PLDT Group has been raising awareness among customers and their respective communities about reporting illegal activities such as cable theft, cable breakage, and other related incidents in their areas to local authorities.

The PLDT and Smart initiatives to promote telecom infrastructure protection are closely connected with the PLDT Group's ongoing efforts to improve the quality of customer experience nationwide. It also emphasizes the PLDT Group's commitment to assisting the country in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), particularly UN SDG 9—Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure—as well as bolstering the government's overall push to digitalize the nation, close the digital divide, and bring the benefits of the internet closer to more Filipinos across the country.