Global telecommunications and technology company iSON Group is exploring expansion opportunities in Mindanao, with a US$300-million investment allocation for digital infrastructure potentially supporting efforts to improve connectivity in underserved areas and strengthen the region’s digital economy.
The investment prospect emerged during discussions between iSON and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), which is seeking private-sector partnerships to expand telecommunications infrastructure and improve access to digital services across Mindanao.
MinDA said iSON presented potential investments in telecommunications, renewable energy, modern agriculture, and digital healthcare during a meeting with MinDA Chairperson and Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno on October 9, 2026, in Ortigas, Manila.
However, the company has yet to specify how much of its US$300-million allocation would be invested in Mindanao or identify projects for implementation, according to the agency.
“Reliable connectivity is essential to Mindanao’s economic growth. We welcome investments that can expand telecommunications infrastructure, particularly in underserved areas, because better connectivity means more opportunities for businesses, communities, and our people,” Magno said.
According to MinDA’s meeting brief, iSON operates in 35 countries and employs approximately 25,000 people worldwide.
The company has invested between US$65 million and US$80 million in the Philippines, where it has established telecommunications infrastructure that could serve as a platform for further expansion.
Its existing network includes an estimated 450 to 570 telecommunications towers nationwide, with around 200 additional towers under development. Approximately 130 of its existing installations are located in Mindanao, including 25 to 30 in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
MinDA said it would help identify strategic locations for additional telecommunications towers, particularly in communities where demand for mobile services remains high but existing infrastructure is insufficient.
The agency also committed to connecting iSON with relevant government offices to facilitate discussions on project requirements and potential implementation.
Magno said expanding telecommunications infrastructure could help address connectivity gaps that constrain businesses, agricultural producers, and communities across the region.
Improved connectivity could enable micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to access digital marketplaces, use electronic payment systems, and reach customers beyond their immediate areas.
For agricultural communities, better telecommunications services could improve access to market prices, weather updates, and digital trading platforms, allowing farmers and other producers to make more informed business decisions.
MinDA also cited the potential benefits of stronger connectivity for remote healthcare services and online government transactions, particularly in geographically isolated communities where access to essential services remains limited.
Beyond telecommunications, the agency said iSON’s interest in renewable energy and modern agriculture could open opportunities for investments in sectors considered vital to Mindanao’s economic development, including energy security and food production.
“MinDA is committed to facilitating partnerships that can translate these proposals into concrete projects, generate economic opportunities, and contribute to building a better Mindanao,” Magno said.
The agency said the discussions align with the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s priorities on digital inclusion, energy security, agricultural modernization, and private-sector-led economic growth.
The next step is to translate the investment interest into viable projects, with specific locations, funding commitments, regulatory requirements, and implementation timelines yet to be established.
For Mindanao, the proposed expansion could provide an opportunity to attract international investment while developing the digital infrastructure needed to improve business competitiveness, broaden economic participation, and connect underserved communities to more economic opportunities.
