Philippines targets massive digital and AI infrastructure expansion

The Philippines is initiating massive digital and artificial intelligence infrastructure expansions. Major telecommunications operators, including PLDT, Globe Telecom, and Converge ICT, have committed over $2.2 billion in capital spending for 2026. This investment aims to strengthen fiber networks and 5G connectivity nationwide. PLDT plans to spend approximately $930 million, while Globe expects to invest between $950 million and $970 million. Converge ICT anticipates spending between PHP 17 billion and PHP 20 billion.

In parallel, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has launched the Philippine AI+ Infrastructure Masterplan (PAIIM) 2026–2033. Developed with the Asian Development Bank, this eight-year roadmap seeks an estimated $34.4 billion in public and private investments to prepare the nation for large-scale AI deployment. A key objective is to expand the country’s AI computing capacity from 50 megawatts to 1.5 gigawatts by 2033. The plan includes a flagship $14.65 billion public-private AI compute and data hub, with the first phase targeting 400 MW of AI-optimized data center capacity by 2030.