The Philippines' oldest and largest telecommunications and digital-services company.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
PLDT Inc., originally incorporated as the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, is a Philippine telecommunications, internet and digital-services group. Established in 1928 through the consolidation of four telephone companies, it developed from a fixed-line operator into a diversified communications business serving households, enterprises, government users and wholesale customers. The company remains one of the Philippines' largest telecommunications providers by assets and revenues and operates alongside competitors including Globe Telecom and DITO Telecommunity. PLDT's activities span fixed-line telecommunications, mobile communications, broadband, enterprise information and communications technology, data centers, cybersecurity, internet-of-things services and related digital products. Its consumer fixed-line business is marketed principally through PLDT Home, while mobile services are operated through Smart Communications and the prepaid-focused TNT brand. Smart provides voice, messaging, mobile-data and 5G services, and PLDT Home offers fixed broadband, home connectivity, entertainment and related devices. The enterprise business provides corporate data networks, managed information technology, cloud-related services, cybersecurity and other ICT solutions. The company was created under Philippine legislation in 1928 and built a national network during the following decade. World War II severely damaged the country's communications infrastructure, but PLDT rebuilt with postwar assistance and regained its prewar subscriber base by the early 1950s. Filipino entrepreneurs led by Ramon Cojuangco acquired control from GTE in 1967, beginning a period of locally controlled expansion. During the martial-law period PLDT became associated with a state-supported telecommunications monopoly, and service availability was widely criticized for long delays and limited access. After the political transition of 1986, PLDT was reprivatized. The company launched the Philippines' first cellular phone system in 1988 and expanded into mobile, international, satellite and rural communications. Telecommunications deregulation in the mid-1990s ended its effective monopoly. In 1998, Hong Kong-based First Pacific acquired a controlling interest, and Manuel V. Pangilinan became the central executive figure of the modern group. PLDT subsequently strengthened its wireless position through its relationship with Smart Communications and its 2011 acquisition of a controlling stake in Digitel. In 2016, the company adopted the shorter corporate name PLDT Inc. and introduced a refreshed PLDT and Smart identity to reflect the shift from traditional long-distance telephony toward data and digital services. The broader group has also held interests connected with broadcasting, print media, satellite television, utilities, aviation and financial technology, although these investments are distinct from PLDT's core telecommunications operations. PLDT continues to invest in fiber infrastructure, mobile data and network modernization. Its principal market remains the Philippines, where its brands serve both mass-market and institutional customers.
History
PLDT was established on November 28, 1928, under Philippine legislation that consolidated four telephone companies operated by the American telecommunications group GTE. Its charter authorized the construction of a national telephone network linking major population centers. During the 1930s, PLDT expanded fixed-line coverage and introduced radiotelephone connections linking the Philippines with the United States and other parts of the world. The Second World War devastated Philippine communications infrastructure. After the war, United States military authorities transferred the surviving communications facilities to PLDT in 1947. Supported by postwar reconstruction assistance, the company rebuilt rapidly and exceeded its prewar subscriber numbers by 1953. PLDT became a central part of the country's communications system, although access remained uneven. On December 20, 1967, a Filipino business group led by Ramon Cojuangco acquired control from GTE. Management changed hands at the beginning of 1968, with Gregorio S. Licaros becoming chairman and Cojuangco becoming president. The company opened its principal Makati office and pursued network expansion into rural areas. It also used international satellite capacity, including Intelsat, to transmit major international events to the Philippines. During the martial-law era, PLDT operated as a state-supported national telephone monopoly. In 1981 it acquired substantially all assets and liabilities of Republic Telephone Company as part of a government policy to integrate the telecommunications industry. The monopoly period was marked by severe capacity constraints and long waits for new telephone lines. Telephone access was sufficiently scarce that lines could command substantial informal-market value, and the company's service was criticized in contemporary commentary. Following the overthrow of Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, PLDT was reprivatized. Antonio O. Cojuangco Jr. became president and chief executive, while Alfonso T. Yuchengco served as chairman. In March 1988, PLDT launched the country's first cellular phone system in Manila. The company later partnered with AT&T on rural and international services, including mobile public-phone facilities, international digital leased lines and prepaid telephone cards. The Telecommunications Act and industry deregulation in the 1990s ended PLDT's effective monopoly. Through Mabuhay Satellite Corporation, the group also participated in the launch of Agila II, the Philippines' first local communications satellite, in 1997; the satellite investment was later divested. First Pacific Company Limited acquired a controlling stake in PLDT in 1998. Manuel V. Pangilinan became president and chief executive, while Cojuangco moved to the chairmanship. A later share-exchange arrangement involving Metro Pacific and NTT Communications increased the strategic participation of Japanese telecommunications interests and connected PLDT with Smart Communications. In 2011, PLDT acquired a controlling interest in Digitel from JG Summit Holdings. The transaction strengthened the group's mobile position, although spectrum-related commitments were made to Philippine regulators. In 2016, the company removed “Long Distance Telephone” from its legal name and became PLDT Inc., reflecting the transformation of its business toward broadband, mobile data, enterprise ICT and digital platforms. PLDT and Smart simultaneously introduced updated visual identities. In the following years, network investment increasingly focused on fiber, 4G and 5G mobile capacity, data infrastructure and digital services. The group also maintained or developed interests in media, satellite television, utilities, aviation and financial technology through affiliated entities, while its core operating market remained the Philippines. Recent developments include a proposed 2023 acquisition involving Sky Cable's broadband business, a 2024 Supreme Court labor decision concerning the status of contractual installation and maintenance workers, and a 2024 green-loan facility intended to support fiber-network modernization. PLDT today combines legacy fixed-line infrastructure with consumer broadband, mobile communications through Smart and TNT, and enterprise connectivity and technology services.
- 2024
Fiber-network green financing
[1]PLDT obtains a P1 billion HSBC Philippines green-loan facility for network modernization and expansion.
- 2023
Sky Cable broadband proposal
[1]PLDT announces a proposed acquisition of Sky Cable's broadband business.
- 2016
Corporate rebrand to PLDT Inc.
[1]The company adopts PLDT Inc. as its corporate name and unveils refreshed PLDT and Smart identities.
- 2011
Digitel acquisition
[1]PLDT acquires 51.55% of Digitel from JG Summit Holdings for approximately P69.2 billion, subject to regulatory completion.
- 1998
First Pacific becomes controlling shareholder
[1]First Pacific acquires a controlling interest and Manuel V. Pangilinan becomes president and chief executive.
- 1997
Agila II satellite is launched
[1]The group participates through Mabuhay Satellite Corporation in the launch of Agila II.
- 1995
Telecommunications deregulation
[1]The Telecommunications Act and related deregulation remove PLDT's effective monopoly.
- 1988
First Philippine cellular system launches
[1]PLDT introduces a public cellular-phone system in Sampaloc, Manila.
- 1981
Republic Telephone assets are acquired
[1]PLDT purchases substantially all assets and liabilities of Republic Telephone Company during the period of industry integration.
- 1967
Filipino investors take control
[1]A group led by Ramon Cojuangco acquires PLDT shares from GTE.
Products and positioning
A nationwide, integrated telecommunications and digital-infrastructure provider serving consumer, enterprise and wholesale markets.
Fixed broadband and home services
PLDT Home
PLDT Home is the group's consumer fixed-line brand. Its portfolio includes home broadband, fixed connectivity, voice services, entertainment and IPTV-related offerings, together with customer-premises equipment and bundled packages. The brand represents PLDT's household-facing fixed-network business and supports the company's fiber expansion.
Mobile telecommunications
Smart
Smart Communications is PLDT's principal wireless subsidiary and consumer mobile brand. It provides voice, text messaging, mobile internet and broadband services across successive generations of cellular technology, including 4G LTE and 5G in key Philippine markets. Smart also provides selected satellite and complementary wireless communications services.
Prepaid mobile telecommunications
TNT
TNT is a value-oriented mobile brand operated within the PLDT wireless group. It focuses on accessible prepaid calling, texting and mobile-data packages, along with related value-added services for price-sensitive customers in the Philippine market.
Enterprise telecommunications and ICT
PLDT Enterprise
PLDT's enterprise business serves large corporations, small and medium-sized businesses, institutions and government users. Offerings include corporate data connectivity, networking, managed ICT, cybersecurity, internet access, communications infrastructure and related digital solutions.
Brand decisions
2024
Green financing for fiber expansionStrategyBackground
PLDT required capital to modernize and expand fiber infrastructure supporting fixed broadband, mobile data and carrier-grade Wi-Fi.
Action taken
The company obtained a green-loan facility from HSBC Philippines.
Aftermath
The facility was intended to support continued network modernization and broadband capacity expansion.
Green loan facility. PHP 1 billion (2024)
2023
Proposed Sky Cable broadband acquisitionM&ABackground
PLDT announced a transaction intended to acquire Sky Cable Corporation's broadband business.
Action taken
PLDT announced the proposed acquisition; the available reference does not establish completion.
2016
Shift from long-distance telephony to digital servicesStrategyBackground
The historical corporate name no longer described a business increasingly centered on broadband, mobile data and digital platforms.
Action taken
PLDT adopted PLDT Inc. as its corporate name and refreshed the PLDT and Smart brands.
Aftermath
The rebrand formalized the group's positioning as an integrated telecommunications and digital-services company.
2011
Digitel acquisitionM&ABackground
PLDT sought to consolidate its mobile telecommunications position through its Smart subsidiary.
Action taken
PLDT acquired 51.55% of Digitel from JG Summit Holdings.
Aftermath
The transaction increased PLDT's mobile-market position and resulted in spectrum-related commitments to regulators.
Acquisition consideration. PHP 69.2 billion (2011)
1998
First Pacific acquisition of controlling stakeM&ABackground
PLDT was seeking a new ownership and strategic structure after deregulation of the Philippine telecommunications sector.
Action taken
First Pacific acquired a 17.2% controlling stake through share purchases and open-market transactions.
Aftermath
Manuel V. Pangilinan became president and chief executive, and First Pacific became the central controlling shareholder of the modern PLDT group.
Acquisition consideration. Approximately PHP 29.7 billion (1998)
1967
Filipino investor acquisition of PLDTM&ABackground
PLDT was controlled by GTE before a Filipino business group led by Ramon Cojuangco acquired its shares.
Action taken
The investor group took control in December 1967 and assumed management in January 1968.
Aftermath
The change began a period of Filipino-controlled expansion and rural network development.
Recent events
Reported
PLDT partnered with Cavite for a province-wide fiber network rollout[3]
PLDT partnered with the Cavite government on a fiber network rollout. PLDT units PLDT Enterprise, Smart Communications, and ePLDT will activate a broadband service covering the province’s 23 cities and municipalities.
Reported
PLDT Global and SoftBank partner to provide enterprise internet in Japan[4]
PLDT Global, PLDT's international arm, formed a partnership with Japan-based SoftBank to provide internet service for small, medium and large enterprise clients in Japan.
Reported
PLDT Global and SyncShop partner to offer services to Filipinos in the UAE[5]
PLDT Global Corporation and UAE-based SyncShop LLC entered an agreement enabling Filipinos in the UAE to top up Smart, TNT, and Sun SIM cards and access other services, including bill and fee payments.
Sources5 sources
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