The country’s fixed broadband and mobile download speeds accelerated in March, according to US-based speed analytics firm Ookla.
The latest Ookla Speedtest Global Index show the country’s fixed broadband median speed improving to 90.57 Mbps from only 90.03 Mbps in February. This represents a 19.66 percent boost since the Marcos administration began in July 2022.
Mobile median speed also improved as the country posted a download speed of 25.63Mbps from 24.58Mbps the month before or an improvement of 13.66 percent since the Marcos administration began in July 2022.
Reacting to the report, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said ensuring the improvement of internet speed remains a priority as President Marcos asked telecommunications companies to support expediting the digitalization of small businesses and government services.
It said the steady improvement of internet speed complements Executive Order 18 directing the establishment of green lanes for strategic investments in all government agencies.
The EO also directs the Department of Information and Communications Technology, with the help of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, to make available to LGUs the software for the computerization of the business permit and licensing system.
The NTC said streamlining and speeding up the issuance of LGU permits in July 2020 generated a significant increase in permits granted to telcos from July 2020 to February 2023.
“Improvement on internet speed is largely attributed to this development as telcos are able to fast-track building the infrastructure (cellular towers and fiber optic network) necessary in boosting services and connectivity,” it added.
