FIBER internet services provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. is gearing up to double the data transmission capacity of its metro backbone from the existing 400 Gigabit per second to 800 Gbps, in anticipation of the use of next-generation, hyperscale capacity applications over its fiber optic network.

Converge Chief Executive Officer Dennis Anthony Uy announced the substantial network upgrade during the recent Department of Information and Communications Technology’s "The Future of the ICT Industry” forum, to cap off the National ICT Month.

"Developments in cloud computing, big data, virtual reality, combined with the increasing demands on remote storage and streaming technology is creating massive demand on our network and data centers. We want to respond to the high-capacity needs of our network and customers, and to be able to accommodate any new-generation technologies they may have,” Uy said.

The metro backbone connects multiple networks together, allowing them to communicate with each other and push traffic between and among them, such as between two data “Points-of-Presence” typically located in data centers.

With the foreseen upgrade of the backbone to 800 Gbps, it will mean dramatically more data to be pushed through data centers, decreasing latency, and allowing for high-speed data transfers needed for next-generation technologies such as the Internet of Things and smart cities.

The network upgrade is yet another infrastructure investment of Converge aimed at improving the services it offers to customers and future-proof its network.

“Just think about how much capacity 800 billion bits per second will give you. That’s enough to download the latest Valorant season and over 20 HD movies in one second,” said Converge Chief Operating Officer Jesus Romero.

“At the same time, this latest technology allows us to use less hardware to efficiently deliver our services, limits the possibility of congestion whether in normal or outage situations, and reduces our energy consumption and cost,” he added.

Last year, Converge activated the Philippines’ first 400Gbps metro backbone utilizing industry-leading optical solutions from a United States-based networking systems, services, and software company. This deployment provided Converge with a programmable, dynamic setup of connections that increases adaptability and resiliency.

Converge continues to introduce innovations in the fiber optic broadband space as it aims to reach 55 percent of total Philippine households with its pure fiber connectivity by 2025.

As of end-March this year, the domestic fiber optic network of Converge has passed over seven million homes or around 28 percent of total households in the country.