Leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc. (PLDT) has further solidified its commitment to help drive the government's digital transformation initiatives through the sale and leaseback of its towers, supporting the government's common tower policy.
"Supporting the government's common tower policy and holistic digitalization agenda, we signed landmark deals in 2022 and early 2023 for the sale and leaseback of over 7,500 of our towers for more than P98 billion," PLDT President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio confirmed at the recent PLDT Annual Stockholders Meeting.
"2022 ushered in a reinforced call for nationwide digitalization. We at the PLDT Group join the government in transforming the Philippine economy into a digital economy," Panlilio added.
Panlilio also noted that the deals are essential milestones in PLDT's asset-light strategy and enable PLDT to focus on operational efficiencies to deliver a best-in-class customer experience while helping bring down the cost to serve.
Furthermore, Panlilio cited PLDT's investments in its data centers and international cable systems to strengthen the Philippines' position as a promising hub for hyperscale investments in the Asia-Pacific Region.
"All these are aligned with our commitment as one of the founding members under the Digital Infrastructure group of the Government's Private Sector Advisory Council, formed in July 2022," Panlilio said.
These initiatives contribute to the PLDT Group's endeavors to provide connectivity to all and to anchor initiatives on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly on SDG No. 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.