PLDT, Smart are the country’s fastest fixed, mobile networks in 2018
PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are the country’s fastest fixed and mobile networks for 2018, according to Ookla, the global leader in internet testing and analysis.
In its latest report, which covers Q3-Q4 2018, Smart achieved a Speed Score TM of 15.57, with average download speeds of 17.86 Mbps and average upload speeds of 8.61 Mbps, based on 2,186,540 user-initiated tests taken with Speedtest on LTE-capable devices in the Philippines.
On the other hand, PLDT achieved a Speed Score of 18.57, with top download speeds of 52.28 Mbps and top upload speeds of 55.95 Mbps. The fixed network award is based on 27,221,777 customer-initiated Speedtest nationwide for the same period.
The Speed Score is a measure that takes into account both upload and download speeds.
“We are pleased to award Smart with the award for Fastest Mobile Network and PLDT for the award for Fastest Fixed Network in the Philippines. This recognition is a testament to their exceptional performance in Q3-Q4 based on Ookla’s rigorous analysis of consumer-initiated tests taken with Speedtest,” said Jamie Steven, Executive Vice President at Ookla.
These latest figures are improvements from the Q1-Q2 scores when Smart posted a Speed Score of 14.98 and PLDT achieved a speed score of 17.31.
“This award is proof that our continued investments in our network to improve the mobile internet experience of our customers across the country are paying off,” said Mario G. Tamayo, PLDT and Smart senior vice president for Network Planning and Engineering.
“Improved connectivity has helped Filipinos keep abreast with ever-evolving times, empowering individuals, businesses and government,” Tamayo added. “In addition to our network investments, we have also undertaken LTE migration efforts to assist customers in upgrading to LTE through SIM replacement programs and by partnering with device manufacturers in making LTE devices more accessible,” Tamayo said.
PLDT, Smart ahead in key cities
Drilling down, initial data included in Ookla’s country reports showed Smart still posting big leads in key cities like Quezon City, Makati and Manila, for example, while PLDT is still way ahead in Quezon City, Pasig and Manila.
In Quezon City, for example, Smart posted a Speed Score of 23.09, more than twice that of the competing network. This reflects the results of the major network upgrade activities that Smart recently undertook in the city, including the activation of LTE-Advanced and carrier aggregation.
For mobile, Speed Score incorporates a measure of each provider’s download and upload speed to rank network speed performance. Tests used to calculate the Speed Score exclusively come from ‘modern devices’, which are devices capable of connecting to the market’s fastest, generally available technology.
For fixed, Ookla assesses the best network speeds attained across a given network, accounting for tests that are taken on various Speedtest applications that connect to a fixed network, including tests taken on mobile phones over a Wi-Fi connection. Each top carrier accounts for at least 3% of the sample size in the geographic area.
