Modernizing Philippine Telecommunications
Expansion of Infrastructure and Services
In 1949, the government granted Eastern Extension a new franchise to operate. Throughout the 1950s, more infrastructures were built to cater to the broadened franchise and the increase in telecommunications usages. Over the ‘60s, new partnerships brought in more cable landings and the adaptation of microwave technologies.
Cable & Wireless
Equipment room
The Birth of Eastern Telecoms (ETPI)
In 1972, in spite of Martial Law, Eastern still invested for growth. In 1974, nationalization resulted in Eastern Extension to be 60% Filipino. Cable and Wireless retained 40%.
Milestones of Expansion
In 1977, ETPI expanded its reach to the Okinawa-Luzon-Honolulu (OLUHU) route. The Currimao Cable Station had the most sophisticated and modern telecommunications system in the World. The Philippines-Singapore submarine cable system also became operational in September 1977. The Phi-Sin project is the first segment of the multi-million dollar ASEAN cable network.
Postage commemorating OLUHU route
Eastern introduces many firsts in the Philippines and Asia.
In 1980, Currimao Cable Landing Station was the largest cable head operations in the world. Eastern also introduced the Abbreviated Dialing or ABD, StoreText, Multi-Address Call, Broadcast Call, Conference Call & Bureaufax Services to Hong Kong and USA.
In 1986, Eastern had the biggest automatic telecommunications exchange facility. It also introduced the country’s first complete packet switching system for high speed, high volume data transmission. Eastern operated the largest cable system in Southeast Asia and acquired Telecommunications Technologies Philippines, Inc. (TTPI) as its subsidiary to operate the Local Exchange Service.
In 1995, Eastern received the award for excellence in the field of Information Technology Management in the 5th Asian Institute of Management.
In 1997, Eastern was cited for its landmark services such as International Direct Dialing, International Telex, International Surefax, International Payphone and Phone Card, International Private Lease Circuit, Global Manager Data Service, and Gateway Interconnections.
In 2005, the Ongpin Group along with Ashmore took over Eastern’s operation and began a series of infrastructure and operational upgrades which included the building of the Laguna-Cavite-Batangas fiber ring and the enhancement of facilities in Metro Manila and Cebu.
