OpenSignal just released a report comparing the performance of the 3G and 4G networks of both Smart and Globe and the results are very interesting.
In terms of 4G (LTE) availability, Globe was ahead of Smart at 55.25% vs. 39.36%. LTE availability is the proportion of time that a user has a 4G signal over the total time it is connected to the carrier’s network.
When measuring 4G/LTE speeds, Globe came in with an average of 7.42Mbps while Smart went ahead at 9.87Mbps. This is slightly better compared to the over-all average of 7.27Mbps the Philippines got back in Q3 2016.
Measuring 3G speeds only, Globe and Smart almost tied at 2.24Mbps and 2.12Mbps, respectively. The discrepancy between the 4G and 3G speeds of the two networks is very significant, highlighting the importance of LTE frequencies to bring fast connectivity to users.
When over-all speeds are averaged between 3G and 4G, Globe and Smart are also tied – 3.33Mbps and 3.41Mbps. This measurement not only takes into consideration the 3G and 4G speeds on the network but also the time spent in those networks. This is the reason why Smart’s average dropped to 3.41Mbps despite getting a good 9.87Mbps speed on their 4G network – users spend more time on Smart’s 3G network than on their 4G network, skewing the over-all average towards the 3G speeds.
Lastly, OpenSignal also measure the latency of each network to see how responsive each carrier in both their 3G and 4G networks.
Latency, measured in milliseconds (ms), is the delay data experiences as it travels between points in the network. A lower score in this metric is a sign of a more responsive network.
For the 4G (LTE) network, Globe and Smart are statistically tied at 55.64ms and 53.32ms, respectively. These are pretty good numbers for a mobile network.
However, for their 3G network, Smart got a better latency performance of 157.2ms compared to the 190.4ms of Globe.
These results are definitely interesting and should give subscribers a better idea on the expected performance of their own respective carriers.
The average speeds, especially on 3G, are still very disappointing. There is good promise in the 4G networks, if you’re area has good coverage but based on the results of the survey there’s still a lot to cover.
Both Globe and Smart (PLDT) have announced aggressive expansion plans for LTE coverage in the Philippines, building more cell sites across the country and tapping into more frequency bands like the 700MHz they recently acquired from SMC.
* OpenSignal drew on 512 million measurements taken by 28,972 smartphone users between Nov. 1, 2016, and Jan. 31, 2017, to compare the 3G and 4G experience of our users on the Globe and Smart networks.
Here are the links you can read for both Globe and Smart –
https://opensignal.com/networks/philippines/smart-coverage
https://opensignal.com/networks/philippines/globe-coverage
..naku kaaaply plng nmin sa globe. Pr gmitin sa tutorial online. Anong network ba ok sa plaridel bulacan? Pls?
yang speed na yan kaya lng ng 3G dapat yan. yan ba tinatawag nilang super bilis?
both network sucks they cant deliver a stable signal in the internet causing lags and problems on the connection ….I hope new company will be invited and operate in our country so all consumers will benefit.
Puro survey kayo mabagal padin internet nyo. Mataas ang specs na binibigay nyo sa custumer den pag ginamit sa actual hindi na, mabagal. Globe and smart same strategy, especially new applicant galing mag sales pag problem na sa signal iwan ka na sa eri.
No problem with my Globe mobile signal at all while am at home. Based sa SpeedTest, nag aaverage ako ng 20Mbps and max of 78.94Mbps. Sa OpenSignal its somewhere between 25Mbps to 28Mbps. Download speed.
yun sinsabi nyo na okey ang smart is sobrang mali naman ata nun smart user ako and i know how smart works
Please share user statistics, time and place the measurements was taken. i mean please. do a comprehensive report, like an infographic maybe, on these sensitive issues otherwise this article is a crap or it will look sponsored.
Sir kung ang area mo is 4g and you tested your sped is above 4mbps…and then you dwnload movies but the actual dwnload speed is just 400kbps…how is that called 4g?…i mean what am i missing here?pls help me understand po…thnks
Downloading movies using Torrent? The download speed will also depend on the number of seeds and peers of that particular file , not only due to the speed of your connection.
Install OpenSignal on your smartphones so your signal stats be included in their future reports. Research more on OpenSignal so you’ll know how they arrived on these results before you complain.
walang kwenta ang smart.. sponsored by smart siguro to
ung sim card ko nga 3G lang 2014 ko pa gusto mag upgrade ng globe sim wala parin amp kau! pero been using abs cbn mobile 4G 7-10Mbps ok naman sa NCR meron lang areas na spotty…
Mas madali na ngang mag-upgrade to LTE sim these days sa Globe. Dati pahirapan ba kung saan Globe store may stock ng number mo at may pila pa to add to that. Now, mas pila na lang issue than availability. Of course, may Globe stores na mas maraming requirements (multiple ID, original sim body, etc.) na hinihingi compared to other stores na isang ID lang kailangan/
not sure what part of metro manila was this tested but i can’t wait for my smart postpaid to expire as 4G is very rare if not non-existent
Hmmm. . . service is crap. too expensive. 50 pesos for 800mb, nc. . The FUTURE of telcos in the Philippines!
Nakakapanduda ahhh. As if naman may ibubuga yang smart. Halos di ko nga magamit sa 3G yan eh. Sistemang bulok… ayaw magkonek yang smart. Olongapo area (Cabalan)
Bakit lampas 9mbps ang 3g sa ibang bansa? Tapos dito LTE na yun?
Is that a joke? Why don’t they publish where in the country did they get those tests and what time? It’s just results taken from their app users which is mostly from major cities or posh subdivisions of the country.
Based on my experience. Novaliches QC and Makati area. Mas okay ang globe kasya sa smart pagdating sa LTE. Problematic sa akin yung latency ng smart sa house at workplace.
I think dapat binanggit sa report kung saang area ginawa ang tests. hindi naman kasi parepareho sa lahat ng area.
This is nationwide survey of 28,972 smartphone users.
what? smart wont even work here. im not saying globe is better.