Smart 5G Wins Philippines' Fastest 5G Mobile Network Award by Ookla for Q1-Q2 2021

According to the latest report by Ookla, a leader in internet testing and analytics, PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. is the Philippines' fastest 5G network for the first half of 2021.

With this stellar achievement, Smart reasserts its dominance as the Philippines' fastest mobile network for the fourth year in a row.

Smart won the Fastest Mobile Network Award on the merit of its Speed Score of 44.70, representing a big leap from 2020 when its Speed Score was at 24.99. Smart's 2021 Speed Score is based on 4,949,931 user-initiated tests taken with Speedtest in the Philippines covering Q1 to Q2 2021.

On top of getting the abovementioned award, Smart also notched the top place in the newly released Fastest 5G Mobile Award report with a Speed Score of 204.81, posting median download and upload speeds of a whopping 220.66 Mbps and 20.61 Mbps, respectively based on 237,142 user-initiated 5G tests taken with Speedtest in the Philippines for the period Q1-Q2 2021.

Speedtest Award for top providers in speed are determined using a Speed Score that incorporates a measure of each provider’s download and upload speed to rank network speed performance.

To determine Speedtest Awards winners for mobile networks, Ookla assesses the average of test results taken using Modern Chipsets. Modern Chipsets includes all mobile tests, regardless of connection technology used, as long as they are taken on devices that are identified as being capable of achieving the fastest speeds available in a market. After this filtering has taken place, Speed Score is applied as outlined above to determine the best speeds available in a country.

According to said Mr. Doug Suttles CEO of Ookla, "Speedtest Awards, presented by Ookla, are reserved for an elite delegation of network operators that have delivered exceptional internet performance and coverage within a market. It is our pleasure to present Smart with two awards for Fastest 5G Mobile Network and Fastest Mobile Network in the Philippines. This recognition is testament to their exceptional performance in Q1-Q2 2021 based on Ookla's rigorous analysis of consumer-initiated tests taken with Speedtest."

On the other hand, Mr. Mario G. Tamayo - Head of Technology at PLDT and Smart - shared, "Smart continues the drive to make the latest 5G technology available for more people in more areas. It is encouraging to see how these awards reflect actual customer experience and are indicative of how our overall data service experience is progressively improving."

He added, "These measurements are just among the tools we use as we strive to deliver world-class experience to our customers nationwide, and elevate overall internet speeds in the Philippines."

This level of performance has been enabled by Smart's mobile network, which includes its 5G network, now fired up in more than 4,000 sites nationwide. Supporting Smart's network is PLDT's most extensive fiber infrastructure, now at over 511,000 kilometers as of June.

Fastest 5G Network in Manila, Cebu, and Davao

Initial data included in Ookla’s country reports showed that Smart's 5G speeds are way ahead of the competition in key areas nationwide like Manila, Cebu City, and Davao City, with Smart posting download and upload speeds that are faster compared to its nearest competitor.

For instance, in the City of Manila, Smart's 5G download speeds are at 268.01 Mbps, which is so much faster than its nearest competition's 81.82 Mbps.

Meanwhile, in Cebu City, Smart registered 5G download speeds of 239.03 Mbps, which is more than double the competition's 99.99 Mbps.

Finally, in Davao City, Smart notched 5G download speeds of 209.76 Mbps, whereas competition clocked in at 145.18 Mbps.

Smart partners with many device manufacturers to its 5G mobile network more accessible nationwide. For example, the flagship-level realme X50 Pro 5G is powered by Smart 5G.

Full Support of the Government

According to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the government’s all-out support in expediting the release of LGU permits required for the ramped-up improvement of telco infrastructure has helped increase internet speeds in the country.

As of July 27, 2021, PLDT and Smart have secured more than 25,000 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), subject to prescribed conditions. DO 29's issuance also assists in ensuring the timely maintenance of PLDT's fiber infrastructure as well as Smart's cell sites.