PLDT, Inc. and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. kept the top spot as the fastest fixed and mobile network in the country, according to Ookla’s speed testing study during the second half of 2018.
The recent report by Internet speed surveyor Ookla on fixed line network showed PLDT recorded a score of 18.57 during the July to December period, beating its score of 17.31 in the first half of 2018, as it recorded top download speeds of 52.28 megabits per second (Mbps) and top upload speeds of 55.95 Mbps.
Other fixed line providers also recorded higher speed scores compared to the first two quarters of last year. Trailing PLDT was Sky with a speed score of 11.23 from 10.89, followed by SmartBro with 10.99 from 9.79 and Globe Telecom, Inc. with 9.36 from 6.58.
On the Fastest Mobile Award, Smart showed it improved its speed score to 15.57 for the second half of 2018 from 14.98 in the first half. It recorded an average download speed of 17.86 Mbps and an average upload speed of 8.61 Mbps.
Its rival Globe also got a higher speed score of 10.10 in the latter period from 9.93 in the first half of 2018, but was second to Smart.
The data for fixed network was based on 27.2 million user-initiated tests on devices connected to Wi-Fi, while for mobile, the data was from 2.1 million user-initiated tests on long term evolution (LTE)-capable devices.
“This recognition is testament to (PLDT’s and Smart’s) exceptional performance in Q3-Q4 based on Ookla’s rigorous analysis of consumer-initiated tests taken with Speedtest,” Ookla Executive Vice-President Jamie Steven was quoted as saying in a statement by PLDT over the weekend.
For his part, PLDT-Smart Senior Vice-President for Network Planning and Engineering Mario G. Tamayo said the recognition is only proof the company’s investments on network improvement have been paying off.
“Improved connectivity has helped Filipinos keep abreast with ever-evolving times, empowering individuals, businesses and government,” he said in the statement.
PLDT is investing an estimated $5 billion from 2016 to 2020 to enhance its fixed and wireless networks. For 2019 alone, the company is allocating at least P70 billion for capital expenditure.
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Denise A. Valdez
