The country’s internet speed has shown vast improvement as indicated the Philippines’ rankings PH internet speed shoots up in global rankings.
This was confirmed in the May 2021 Ookla Speedtest Global Index report amid preparations in the House of Representatives for conduct of hearings on legislative measures proposing to institutionalize minimum speed requirements on internet connections.
The House Committee on Information and Communications Technology has been tasked to study the pending bills.
The Ookla Speedtest Global Index report reaching the Lower House has indicated that the country’s average download speed of 58.73 Mbps “represented a 15-notch monthly increase” while the speed of 31.97Mbps in mobile represented a seven-notch monthly improvement.
Reports reaching the Lower House indicated that the internet speed and performance testing firm said the country currently ranks the third best globally as a result of the monthly improvement in speeds.
The Philippines fixed broadband speed currently ranks 65th among the 180 countries tested. In mobile, the country placed 77th out of the 137 countries examined.
In November, 2021, the country’s average download speeds for fixed broadband ranked 103rd and 110th for mobile globally.
The telecommunications sector said the significant progress in ranking the past months is due primarily to the Duterte government’s all-out support in expediting the release of LGU permits required for the fast-tracking of improvement of telco infrastructure.
It was also reported that out of 50 countries in Asia, the country’s internet speed now placed 17th for fixed broadband and 23rd for mobile. In Asia-Pacific, the Philippines ranked 14th for fixed broadband and 12th for mobile out of 46 countries.
Compared to its ASEAN neighbors, Philippines ranked fifth in both fixed broadband and mobile out of 10 countries.
The latest fixed broadband download speed represent an improvement of 642.50% since the Duterte administration began in July 2016.
Meanwhile, the latest mobile speed represents an improvement of 329.70% during the same timeframe.
The hearing on the pending bills has yet to be scheduled by the ICT Committee.
Recent fast-tracking of telco infrastructure roll-out is expected to continue as more LGUs comply with the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 01 s. 2020 signed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Interior and Local Government, Anti-Red Tape Authority, and other government agencies.
The National Telecommunications Commission, PLDT, Globe, Converge and DITO also welcomed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) initiative to allow telecommunication companies to occupy a portion of the government’s Right of Way (ROW) as part of the government’s thrust to ensure internet connectivity throughout the country.
The new DPWH directive will help speed up implementation of telco infrastructure projects especially along national roads.