May 20, 2025 — Manila, Philippines — PLDT Inc., the Philippines’ largest integrated telco, has officially cancelled its planned partial sale of its data center arm, Vitro Inc., in a strategic move to retain full ownership and accelerate growth in the country’s fast-expanding digital infrastructure market.
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Originally, PLDT explored selling a minority stake—reportedly worth around $1 billion—to reduce debt and fund further investments. Talks were held with global investors, including Japan’s Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (NTT) and European private equity firm CVC Capital Partners. However, the negotiations did not lead to a deal.
PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan explained the decision to withdraw from the sale process. “We stopped the process. It’s probably too early. I think it’s best to try to build the business,” Pangilinan said during an interview.
PLDT Ramps Up Data Center Capacity
The decision signals PLDT’s confidence in the high-growth potential of its data center business. In 2024, the company inaugurated Vitro Sta. Rosa, its 11th and largest hyperscale data center located in Laguna. With a power capacity of 50 megawatts and 18 data halls, it is also the first AI-ready data center in the country. Two data halls are already fully occupied.
To meet surging demand, PLDT is constructing a 12th facility in General Trias, Cavite, aiming to bring an additional 100 MW of capacity online by 2028. This is part of PLDT’s broader ambition to expand its total data center capacity to 500 MW, positioning itself as a dominant digital infrastructure provider in Southeast Asia.
AI-Ready, Hyperscale-Grade Infrastructure
PLDT is aligning its infrastructure investments with the rising adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). Its data centers are being built to support AI workloads, high-performance computing, and enterprise-grade cloud solutions. According to the company, Vitro Sta. Rosa is fully AI-ready, enabling hyperscalers and large enterprises to future-proof their operations.
In the first quarter of 2025, PLDT recorded a 37% increase in colocation revenues, reflecting the growing market appetite for secure, scalable, and AI-compatible data hosting services in the Philippines.
PLDT’s Strategic Direction
By scrapping the partial sale of Vitro Inc., PLDT signals its long-term commitment to strengthening the country’s digital backbone. With the Philippines aiming to become a digital hub in Asia, PLDT’s focus on AI-ready hyperscale data centers will be crucial in attracting global cloud providers and hyperscalers.
As competition in the digital infrastructure space heats up, PLDT’s decision to retain full ownership gives it greater control over its assets, operations, and future innovations.
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