EdgePoint Infrastructure (“EdgePoint”), a leading ASEAN-independent telecommunications infrastructure company, is expanding options for telecommunications service providers in the Philippines via its subsidiary, Edgepoint Towers Inc. Today, Suresh Sidhu, Chief Executive Officer of EdgePoint Infrastructure, and Alexander Kiel, Chief Executive Officer of EdgePoint Philippines, briefed media representatives at EdgePoint Philippines’ new headquarters on the company’s ability as an independent towerco to contribute to the country’s telecommunications industry.
In April of this year, Smart Communications Inc. (“Smart”) and Digitel Mobile Philippines, Inc. (“DMPI”), which are both wholly-owned wireless communications and digital services subsidiaries of PLDT Inc., signed a Sale & Leaseback agreement with EdgePoint Philippines for 2,934 towers on the Luzon Island group. This was the first time that EdgePoint Philippines was officially in the Philippine market. After the sale, Smart is renting the towers from EdgePoint Philippines to meet its high-speed internet and mobile communication needs in the area. All towers should be officially turned over by the end of the first half of 2023. EdgePoint Philippines has received 2232 tower sites so far.
Speaking at the event Sidhu said “Our market position as an independent towerco aligns well with the DICT’s Common Towers policy that seeks to enhance connectivity while easing mobile network operators from the heavy capital expenditure required for building communications towers, allowing them to focus on improving services and reaching more underserved areas. The number of internet users in the Philippines has more than tripled in the past decade from 23 million in 2010 to 76 million in 2022 and significant investments are needed to meet the demands of this growth. Philippines has a dense number of users per tower which affects overall user experience and the country needs a large number of new towers built to fill this gap. EdgePoint is ready to bring investment, innovation, best practices and expertise into the Philippines to address the nation’s connectivity needs. We are focused on driving the deployment of world class connectivity solutions in the telecommunications landscapes across our footprint, and being the leading 5G enabler for our mobile network operators”.
Kiel stated that EdgePoint Philippines is focused on building the optimal shared infrastructure for mobile network operators and maximizing local experience to support growth in the nation. As we improve connections in the Philippines, we want to strengthen the ecosystem, create new job possibilities, and bring green solutions and practices. Since entering the market, we’ve produced more than 100 direct and 1000 indirect employment, and we intend to treble that by 2024. We want to use our local network of vendors as we promote regional best practices to the country. We commit to developing the economy by building a reliable supply chain of local vendors and suppliers as nation-building partners. The recent epidemic showed us the necessity of industry self-sufficiency, and we aspire to develop an autonomous ecosystem.
Kiel added, “In the Philippines, there are 4,090 customers per tower, with mobile download rates of 22.5 Mbps. The Philippines has lagged behind ASEAN, but we’re now witnessing policy reforms and new infrastructure investments, in accordance with the government’s objective to ensure all Filipinos have access to the internet. EdgePoint’s capabilities align with the NBP, and we’re committed to cooperating with the government to implement the proper infrastructure to ensure ubiquitous, faster, and affordable internet access as well as sustainable and ecologically friendly solutions. In 2023, we’ll launch our first trial locations using a mix of renewable energy and efficient generators. If successful, we’ll expand the rollout. We feel these energy-efficient solutions are vital from an environmental perspective and for bridging the digital divide since they allow us to expand our communication networks into underdeveloped areas.
EdgePoint’s strategy is to deliver regional best practices to local markets, Sidhu said. Our ability to create cutting-edge telecom structures, provide next-generation solutions, and introduce green technology gives us an edge in satisfying mobile network operators’ needs. We are sure that a more extensive and contemporary communications infrastructure would support the government’s drive to transform the Philippines into a globally competitive, digitally-enabled economy.
Digital Cities 2025 intends to create inclusive growth in rural by transforming high-potential locations into IT-BPM centers to increase the Philippine economy within five years.
EdgePoint builds and leases shared fiber-integrated, cutting-edge telecom buildings and provides small cells and in-building systems.
The company strives to be an industry leader by combining scale and innovation with analytics and digital technology. It designs, builds, operates, and maintains private networks, edge computing, open RAN, small cells, and IBC solutions.
