PH internet quality improving but still below global average

by Miguel R. Camus, Inquirer, Sep 14, 2017

Philippine telecom operators have improved mobile internet quality, especially in 4G (LTE) services but results in a new crowdsourced survey showed the country was still “well behind” global averages.

This was according to OpenSignal’s latest “mobile networks update” report, released yesterday. OpenSignal recorded 1.05 billion measurements across over 62,000 devices in the country from May 31, 2017 through July 31, 2017.

OpenSignal looked into 4G availability, download speeds and latency for 4G and 3G networks.

According to OpenSignal, Globe Telecom remained superior in terms of 4G availability, but it noted that rival Smart Communications was better overall in internet download speed and latency, which measured the responsiveness of the network.

OpenSignal noted that Globe’s 4G availability (the time users can access an LTE connection) stood at 62.6 percent while Smart’s was at 52.7 percent during the period measured. For 3G download speed, Globe and Smart were close to equal, or 2.25 megabits per second and 2.36 mbps, respectively.

For 4G download speed, Globe scored 7.16 mbps while Smart got 10.55 mbps.

OpenSignal cited better availability and a slight increase in 4G speeds for both operators, but it noted the Philippines still had a long way to go when compared to other jurisdictions.

“In general, speeds in the Philippines remain slow, well below both the global 4G average of 16.2 mbps and the global 3G average of 4.4 mbps,” OpenSignal said.

Globe and Smart, a subsidiary of PLDT Inc., vowed to improved internet services across their mobile and fixed-line networks.

For mobile, both companies joined forces last year to acquire the telco unit of San Miguel Corp. for around P70 billion. The deal included an agreement to use 3G and 4G frequency assets linked to the SMC acquisition.