The country's fixed and mobile internet speeds have more than doubled between June 2020 and June 2021, according to the latest Speedtest Global Index by Ookla.
In June 2021, average mobile internet download speeds in the country stood at 32.84 Mbps, twice as fast as the speeds posted in the same period the previous year.
Fixed broadband download speeds have also nearly tripled to 66.55 Mbps compared to June last year.
The latest Speedtest Global Index reflects the Philippines' fixed broadband download speeds are just behind Vietnam's 74.46 Mbps, but well ahead of ASEAN countries Laos (44.56 Mbps), Brunei (38.56 Mbps), Indonesia (26.17 Mbps), Cambodia (26.10 Mbps) and Myanmar (24.86 Mbps).
Similarly, the country's mobile internet download speeds are just under Vietnam's 43.02 Mbps but also ahead of ASEAN neighbors Laos (30.01 Mbps), Malaysia (26.03 Mbps), Cambodia (25.52 Mbps), Myanmar (22.16 Mbps) and Indonesia (22.14 Mbps).
This significant progress was also due to the government’s all-out support in expediting the release of LGU permits, fast-tracking of improvement of telco infrastructure, according to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
Over the same period, PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart)'s fixed and mobile internet average download speeds from results of tests taken with Speedtest were 78.94 Mbps and 50.19 Mbps, respectively.
As of July 13, 2021, PLDT and Smart have secured more than 24,000 fixed and wireless permits since the government fast-tracked approvals for telco firms last year.
These include the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA)'s issuance last year of the Joint Memorandum Circular fast-tracking the issuance of permits and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)'s recently issued Department Order No. 29 (DO 29), which allows telecommunications companies to occupy a portion of the government Right of Way (ROW).
"Connectivity is essential as the country bounces back from the pandemic," remarked Mario G. Tamayo, PLDT and Smart Head of Technology.