Slow internet

According to an Ookla Speedtest report from May 2015, the Philippines had an average broadband download speed of 3.65 Mbps, ranking 21st out of 22 listed Asian countries and well below the global average of 23.3 Mbps. Only Afghanistan was slower. In contrast, Singapore topped the list at 121.81 Mbps.

Following senate investigations and a warning from incoming President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016, both Globe and PLDT/Smart issued statements supporting calls for faster internet, citing ongoing infrastructure investments. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) held public hearings in 2014 to discuss setting minimum broadband speeds and was tasked by Senator Bam Aquino in 2015 to create a memorandum circular on internet quality standards, though it was reportedly delayed.

Yes, there were reported improvements, particularly in mobile LTE speeds. A February 2017 report noted that the Philippines' average LTE speed reached 8.24 Mbps in Q4 2016, overtaking Indonesia. Smart claimed the highest overall LTE download speed at 9.17 Mbps. These gains were attributed to telcos acquiring new frequencies from San Miguel Corporation and deploying new LTE sites.