PLDT Global posted a 26 percent increase in first-quarter 2026 net service revenues, driven by strong demand for international connectivity and data center services, as newly secured contracts with global hyperscalers and technology firms position the company for sustained growth throughout the year.

MANILA , Philippines — PLDT Global Corporation, the international arm of telecommunications giant PLDT Inc., is poised to sustain its strong growth momentum throughout 2026 after securing a fresh pipeline of strategic contracts with some of the world’s largest hyperscalers, global technology firms, and digital content providers. The company expects these partnerships to significantly strengthen its revenue stream as demand for high-capacity connectivity and digital infrastructure continues to accelerate across Asia.

The company reported a remarkable 26 percent year-on-year increase in net service revenues during the first quarter of 2026, reflecting the growing need for enterprise-grade telecommunications services among multinational technology companies. This strong financial performance was largely fueled by rising demand for its International Private Leased Circuit Services (IPLCS), which provide dedicated, high-speed international connectivity for businesses, as well as its colocation data center solutions that allow global enterprises to securely host critical digital infrastructure within strategically located facilities.

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PLDT Global said the newly signed agreements with hyperscalers, international enterprises, and leading content providers during the first quarter are expected to begin contributing directly to the company’s revenues in the succeeding months. These contracts place the company in a favorable position to capitalize on the continued expansion of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital content delivery, and cross-border data traffic, industries that continue to experience rapid growth worldwide.

According to PLDT Global President and Chief Executive Officer Albert V. Villa-Real, the company’s sustained expansion reflects both the strength of its telecommunications infrastructure and the Philippines’ growing importance as a regional digital connectivity hub. He emphasized that the company’s ability to attract global technology leaders demonstrates confidence in its reliable network, strategic geographic location, and commitment to delivering world-class connectivity solutions that meet the evolving needs of international clients.

Villa-Real said PLDT Global remains committed to supporting the rapidly expanding digital economy by continuously investing in advanced infrastructure and strengthening relationships with global technology partners. As more multinational companies establish or expand operations across Asia, the company aims to position itself as a preferred provider of secure, resilient, and high-performance connectivity services that enable seamless digital operations.

The first-quarter performance was also supported by the company’s carrier voice business, which continued to provide stable contributions to overall revenues while complementing the growth of its enterprise connectivity and data center operations. Together, these business segments reinforce the broader enterprise portfolio of the PLDT Group, which has increasingly focused on serving the evolving requirements of international businesses and digital platforms.

Industry analysts continue to view hyperscalers and cloud service providers as among the strongest drivers of future telecommunications demand, with businesses requiring greater bandwidth, lower latency, and more secure cross-border connectivity. The increasing adoption of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, streaming platforms, and digital financial services has intensified the need for robust international telecommunications infrastructure, creating significant opportunities for network providers with established regional capabilities.

Villa-Real added that PLDT Global will continue pursuing operational excellence while expanding its enterprise business through deeper strategic partnerships and sustained investments in innovation. He said the company’s long-term strategy centers on delivering sustainable growth, creating lasting value for stakeholders, and supporting the next generation of global digital transformation.

With a growing portfolio of international clients, expanding digital infrastructure services, and a strong pipeline of newly secured contracts, PLDT Global enters the second half of 2026 with optimism that its enterprise business will continue delivering solid financial performance. The company believes its investments in connectivity, data center solutions, and strategic partnerships will allow it to remain competitive in an increasingly digital global economy while helping businesses across the region accelerate their technological growth.

PLDT’s Remarkable Journey: From Colonial Telephone Company to Philippine Digital Powerhouse

From connecting the country’s first long-distance telephone call nearly a century ago to powering today’s cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and hyperscale digital infrastructure, PLDT Inc. has evolved into one of the Philippines’ most influential technology companies. What began as a modest telephone operator during the American colonial period has transformed into the country’s largest integrated telecommunications and digital services provider, serving millions of Filipinos and thousands of enterprises through mobile, fiber broadband, data centers, cloud computing, and fintech solutions.

The company’s nearly 100-year history reflects the rapid evolution of communications technology in the Philippines, marked by periods of reconstruction, deregulation, digital transformation, and global expansion.

PLDT’s story began in 1928, when the Philippine Legislature passed Act No. 3436, signed by then Governor-General Henry L. Stimson, formally creating the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company through the consolidation of four American-owned telephone firms. The merger established what would become the country’s primary telecommunications provider for decades.

Only a year later, in 1929, PLDT achieved a historic milestone by completing the Philippines’ first long-distance telephone call between Manila and Baguio. The breakthrough dramatically improved communication across Luzon and demonstrated the growing potential of nationwide telecommunications infrastructure.

By 1933, the company expanded beyond domestic communications by launching overseas radio-telephone services connecting the Philippines to the United States, bringing the country closer to the international telecommunications network during an era when global communication remained a technological achievement.

PLDT’s rapid progress came to an abrupt halt during World War II. Between 1941 and 1945, much of the company’s infrastructure was deliberately destroyed to prevent Japanese military forces from utilizing the country’s communications facilities. The devastation left the telecommunications network in ruins and forced the company to rebuild almost entirely from scratch after the war.

Recovery came in 1953, when PLDT successfully restored its operations with assistance from the United States. The rehabilitation enabled the company to surpass its pre-war subscriber base, signaling the beginning of a new era of modernization that supported the country’s post-war economic recovery.

A major turning point occurred in 1967, when a consortium of Filipino businessmen led by Ramon Cojuangco acquired the controlling stake in PLDT from General Telephone and Electronics (GTE) of New York. The acquisition marked the transition of the country’s largest telecommunications company into Filipino ownership.

The following year, 1968, management officially shifted to Filipino leadership, which immediately pursued aggressive expansion programs designed to extend telephone services beyond major urban centers and into rural communities that had long lacked reliable communications infrastructure.

As international communications became increasingly important, PLDT introduced Direct Distance Dialing (DDD) in 1982, allowing subscribers to place overseas telephone calls directly without relying on manual operator assistance. The innovation significantly improved convenience for businesses and Filipino families with relatives abroad.

The company’s next breakthrough arrived in 1987, when it established the Philippines’ first cellular mobile network. The launch marked the country’s entry into wireless communications and laid the foundation for what would eventually become one of Southeast Asia’s largest mobile telecommunications markets.

Recognizing the growing importance of digital communications, PLDT introduced Fibernet technology in 1992, utilizing fiber-optic infrastructure capable of simultaneously transmitting voice and data. The investment represented one of the country’s earliest moves toward broadband connectivity.

The Philippine telecommunications landscape changed dramatically in 1995 with the passage of the Telecommunications Act, which ended PLDT’s long-standing monopoly and opened the industry to full competition. While deregulation intensified market rivalry, it also accelerated technological innovation and network expansion throughout the country.

PLDT continued investing in advanced communications technologies. In 1997, its subsidiary Mabuhay Philippines Satellite Corporation successfully launched Agila II, the nation’s first communications satellite, expanding connectivity across remote areas and strengthening international communications capabilities.

Corporate leadership underwent another major transformation in 1998, when Hong Kong-based First Pacific Company Ltd. acquired a 17.5 percent stake in PLDT. The investment paved the way for Manuel V. Pangilinan to become President and Chief Executive Officer, ushering in a new era focused on modernization, strategic acquisitions, and digital growth.

One of the most significant corporate milestones came in 2000, when PLDT completed its landmark share-swap acquisition of Smart Communications. The transaction immediately positioned the company as the dominant force in the Philippine mobile telecommunications industry, dramatically expanding its wireless subscriber base.

That same year, PLDT introduced Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband technology, allowing internet services to be delivered through existing copper telephone lines. DSL provided millions of households and businesses with significantly faster internet access compared to traditional dial-up connections.

The company’s digital transformation accelerated in 2005 through the deployment of its Next Generation Network (NGN), integrating voice, video, and data into a unified packet-based digital platform that greatly improved network efficiency and service reliability.

As smartphones became increasingly popular, PLDT strengthened its wireless leadership by launching the country’s first commercial 3G mobile network through Smart in 2010, enabling mobile internet, video calling, and data-intensive applications for consumers.

Expansion continued in 2011 when PLDT acquired Digitel Telecommunications, owner of Sun Cellular, from JG Summit Holdings. The acquisition substantially increased its mobile subscriber base while strengthening its presence in the budget-conscious telecommunications market.

To support surging smartphone usage, PLDT rolled out high-speed 4G LTE services nationwide in 2012, delivering significantly faster mobile internet speeds and improved network capacity.

Recognizing that telecommunications had evolved far beyond traditional landline services, the company formally rebranded itself in 2016 as PLDT Inc., removing the words “Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company” from its corporate identity. The change reflected its strategic transformation into a comprehensive digital services provider focused on connectivity, cloud computing, enterprise solutions, and emerging technologies.

The next phase of innovation arrived in 2020 with the commercial launch of 5G technology, providing ultra-low latency wireless connectivity designed to support next-generation applications, smart cities, industrial automation, and immersive digital experiences.

Between 2021 and 2024, PLDT aggressively expanded its fiber-optic infrastructure, introducing Gigabit Fiber services for residential customers while significantly increasing enterprise connectivity solutions to support businesses migrating to cloud-based operations.

The company’s digital ambitions expanded further in 2025, as it accelerated investments in financial technology through Maya while strengthening its portfolio of AI-ready data centers capable of supporting artificial intelligence workloads, cloud platforms, and enterprise digital transformation initiatives.

The momentum continued into 2026, with PLDT Global Corporation, the international business arm of PLDT Inc., reporting a 26 percent year-on-year increase in first-quarter net service revenues. The growth was fueled by rising demand for International Private Leased Circuit Services (IPLCS), colocation data center solutions, and newly secured contracts with global hyperscalers, multinational technology companies, and international content providers expanding their operations across Asia.

The latest achievement underscores PLDT’s continuing evolution from a traditional telephone company into a critical enabler of the global digital economy. With investments spanning fiber broadband, mobile connectivity, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, fintech, artificial intelligence, and international digital networks, the company has positioned itself at the forefront of the Philippines’ digital transformation.

As it approaches its centennial anniversary, PLDT continues to build on nearly a century of innovation, adapting to changing technologies while maintaining its role as one of the country’s most important communications and digital infrastructure providers. From connecting the nation’s first long-distance telephone call to supporting the world’s largest technology companies through hyperscale connectivity, PLDT’s journey mirrors the evolution of the Philippines itself into an increasingly connected digital nation. / aptikons