With the goal of fostering hyper collaboration, ePLDT, the country’s leading data center operator and ICT subsidiary of PLDT, hosted ePLDT Ascend: Carriers Alliance Night on July 6, 2023, which brought together chief executives from the country’s telecommunications and carrier networks industry.
Held at The Peak Bar and Grill in Grand Hyatt Manila, the event served as an invitation for the telcos and carriers to establish a point-of-presence at VITRO Sta. Rosa, ePLDT’s 11th and largest data center, was purposely built to be the Philippines’ first true hyperscale facility. This newest development is also designed to enable hyperconnectivity and fuel hypergrowth for both enterprises and hyper scalers which are essential to expanding the Philippines’ data center footprint in Asia Pacific.
“Inter-industry collaboration is essential to strengthen the Philippines’ position as Asia Pacific’s next digital destination through world-class, hyperconnected data centers that enable our country’s digital agenda,” said Victor S. Genuino, ePLDT President and CEO.
Inter-industry collaboration and partnership are also seen to strengthen the digital ecosystem of VITRO Sta. Rosa and further support the connectivity requirements of hyperscalers and top enterprises who will co-locate in the Laguna data center when it goes live in 2024.
ePLDT Chairman and PLDT and Smart President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio has referred to VITRO Sta. Rosa is the real hyperscaler data center. “With VITRO Sta. Rosa, we aim to set the benchmark in infrastructure resilience, operational excellence, global competitiveness, and world-class sustainability – positioning the Philippines in the digital map.”
VITRO Sta. Rosa is equipped with at least three diverse points of entries connected to eight telco-neutral meet-me-rooms. This design caters to the stringent network requirements of hyperscalers who are looking to set up Availability Zones and Points-of-Presence in the country.
It is the latest addition to ePLDT’s network of 10 fully operational data center facilities strategically spread across the country. Also in the pipeline is a 12th data center, a hyperscale facility that will have a power capacity of no less than 100MW.
“We envision VITRO Sta. Rosa to be a hyperconnected hyperscale data center. It is designed with true carrier-neutrality and telco-diversity in mind. This allows everyone to work together to enable strong, resilient connections for enterprises and hyperscalers alike as they advance towards hypergrowth,” said Gary F. Ignacio, ePLDT Chief Data Center Officer.
“As we move forward, our commitment remains steadfast in forging stronger partnerships that drive mutual growth between ePLDT VITRO Data Centers and the telco industry. As their trusted partner, we are dedicated to fostering a collaborative and transformative journey, fueling the visions of our customers, by providing them with the tools, expertise, and reliable infrastructure they need to thrive in the digital landscape,” said Mitch L. Locsin, PLDT and Smart First Vice President and Head of Enterprise and International Business Groups.
During the event’s ceremonial toast, Genuino expressed optimism about the future, saying that with the entire industry working together, the Philippines’ vision of becoming a regional hyperscaler hub is within sight.