PLDT Successfully Demonstrated a 50G Passive Optical Network, the First in the Philippines

The Philippines' first 50G Passive Optical Network (50GPON), the newest and fastest Passive Optical Network (PON) technology, has been successfully tested by PLDT, Inc., a leading integrated telecom. PLDT uses PON technology across the country for their fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) service.

Every equipment port will be able to receive 50 gigabits per second (Gbps) rates because of 50GPON, which is several times faster than what the present GPON (2.5 Gbps) and XGS PON (10 Gbps) technologies can give.

"After successfully testing XGS PON in 2021, PLDT is taking it further by testing the latest and fastest technology in Passive Optical Networks called 50GPON, which will allow five times faster speeds than XGSPON and 20 times faster speeds than GPON, which is the most widely used technology by fiber providers in the Philippines," stated Arvin L. Siena, vice president and head of PLDT and Smart's office of network strategy and transformation.

"This latest milestone is a testament to the Group's commitment to always be ahead in harnessing the best technologies and innovations to deliver enhanced services and an elevated customer experience to the Filipino public," said Eric Santiago, Head of Network at PLDT and Smart. "While we have been offering boosted speeds to our customers even before the pandemic, this new technology further ensures that we can provide the best and fastest service to homes nationwide," Santiago added.

The PLDT Group has increased the amount of fiber it possesses to over 1.1 million cable kilometers as of September 2023. This includes around 0.9 million cable kilometers of domestic fiber and over 0.2 million cable kilometers of international fiber. In 69% of the nation's municipalities and towns, residences passed through more than 17.3 million households, and PLDT has 6.15 million total fiber ports, which cover more than 18,000 barangays countrywide.

Under the Digital Infrastructure Pillar, PLDT is a founding member of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), which is spearheading the effort to promote private-public sector collaborations to connect more Filipinos nationwide.

These programs also support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG No. 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and are in line with PLDT's efforts to connect everyone.