Nearly nine in 10 mobile broadband tests conducted by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) at Metro Manila’s major bus terminals posted download speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps), but Smart Communications Inc. failed to meet the regulator’s standard for dropped calls.
Of the 128 test campaigns the NTC completed, 114, or nearly 90 percent, recorded download speeds of at least 50 Mbps, the regulator said.
‘Reliable mobile connectivity is essential in transport terminals, particularly during periods when large numbers of Filipinos travel to reunite with their families,’ NTC Deputy Commissioner Andy Castelar said.
Smart, however, registered a call drop ratio of 5.26 percent, well above the prescribed standard of less than 2 percent.
Dito Telecommunity Corp. (Dito) and Globe Telecom Inc. both recorded an average call drop ratio of zero percent, meeting the standard.
On speed, Dito posted the highest recorded download speed at 851 Mbps at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX). Smart followed with 456 Mbps, also at PITX.
Globe’s fastest recorded speed was 330 Mbps, logged at the Raymond Transportation terminal in Quezon City.
All three mobile network operators (MNOs) achieved an average short message service (SMS) success ratio of 100 percent, surpassing the prescribed standard of more than 99 percent.
‘The Commission commends our MNOs’ readiness to heed the public’s reliance on mobile telecommunications services to communicate with their families, coordinate their trips and access essential information throughout their journey this Undas 2026,’ Castelar noted.
The NTC called on all MNOs to take note of the results and give their utmost attention to improving the service.
The regulator said it will continue its monitoring and validation activities nationwide and will pursue appropriate regulatory action, as may be warranted, to keep telecommunications services reliable and responsive to the public.
The tests covered 12 terminals: Victory Liner Cubao, Superlines Cubao, Baliwag Transit Cubao, Five Star Bus Cubao, HM Transport Inc., Raymond Transportation, Bicol Isarog, Florida Bus Terminal Cubao, Araneta Bus Terminal, PITX, and the Victory Liner and Florida Bus terminals in Sampaloc, Manila.