Globe Telecom Inc. and Converge ICT Solutions Inc. have been consistently improving their internet speeds during the first quarter driven by their continuing network expansion, according to Opensignal.
Based on Opensignal’s April 2021 report, Globe’s performance in fourth generation (4G) availability, download speed experience and video experience has consistently improved.
In terms of 4G availability, Globe customers have seen the most improvement with its 4G availability score up by 2.2 percentage points (ppt) to 82.6 percent, causing Smart Communications Inc.’s lead to drop by nearly 30 percent from 5 ppt to 3.6 ppt.
Globe’s video experience score also advanced by an impressive 15.4 points, reducing Smart’s lead by more than half compared to the last report, said Opensignal, which conducts internet testing and analysis.
The report also noted a 16.4 percent improvement in the company’s download speed experience from 7.4 megabits per second (Mbps) to 8.6 Mbps.
“Our continuously improving performance in mobile and data services shows our strong commitment to deliver on our promise of a #1stWorldNetwork. The steady improvements significantly reduced the gaps in speed such that, from a user standpoint, it is hardly noticeable. More than speed, customers want consistent, reliable connectivity that comes with an enriching digital experience,” said Ernest Cu, Globe president and chief executive officer (CEO).
However, Opensignal’s report said Smart has managed to beat competition across all metrics during the first quarter.
Meanwhile, Ookla has recently verified that local fiber broadband provider Converge offers the most consistent fixed internet performance in the region, including Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Ilocos and the Cordillera Administrative Region, for the first quarter.
Converge’s network performance has been attributed mainly to the consistent performance that customers experienced in their standard plans, said Ookla which conducts internet testing, data and analysis.
Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence data for the first quarter of 2021 showed Converge’s average download speed is at 42.93 Mbps, which is representative of actual plans subscribed to by its customers.
“Our network performance in the first quarter reflects our focus in providing reliable high-speed internet services to our customers in their standard packages, which subscribers of other providers only enjoy on a promotional basis via their speed boosts. Aside from performance, we work hard to provide a consistent online experience,” said Dennis Anthony Uy, Converge CEO.
Based on Ookla’s analysis, Converge garnered a consistency score of 72.78 percent. Consistency score measures what percentage of a provider’s samples equals or exceeds a 25 Mbps download fixed threshold and 3 Mbps upload fixed threshold.
