A telco firm said its mobile and broadband services in Metro Manila and parts of Luzon have been fully restored following a network disruption caused by multiple fiber cuts on May 12.
Globe Telecom, Inc. said customers in Metro Manila and Rizal experienced intermittent call, text, and data services after several fiber optic lines were damaged. The company said normal services were restored by 10:30 pm after its technical teams carried out intensive repair work.
Joel Agustin, Globe senior vice president for Service Planning and Engineering, said the incident could have been avoided with proper coordination before excavation activities.
“It is very unfortunate this disruption happened which could have been prevented had there been prior coordination with some agencies,” Agustin said.
“Our teams worked continuously to resolve the issue and minimize disruption for our customers. We highly value the availability of our services and the trust our customers place in us, and incidents like this underscore the importance of strict adherence to established coordination and communication protocols by contractors prior to any excavation activities,” he added.
Based on initial findings, the telco said underground fiber optic cables in Paco, Manila were damaged during drainage excavation works conducted by a subcontractor of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The excavation caused multiple fiber cuts in the same location, affecting several core lines essential to Globe’s service delivery.
The company said it is also conducting a broader investigation into other fiber cuts reported in several areas to determine whether the incidents were coincidental or occurred in succession.
The firm said it is working with concerned contractors and relevant authorities to determine the circumstances behind the disruption.
“We are taking this matter seriously and are coordinating closely with our partners and government agencies to establish accountability and prevent similar incidents moving forward,” Agustin said.
Globe said it will strengthen coordination with the DPWH, local government units, and contractors to better protect telecommunications infrastructure, improve visibility of underground assets, and enhance incident response protocols.