OpenSignal: PH 4G availability, download speeds improve despite pandemic

The country's 4G availability and download speeds have further improved this 2020 despite the Coronavirus pandemic posing challenges to the telco industry. 

OpenSignal image

PH's 4G availability, download speeds improve

In its report, London-based wireless coverage mapping firm OpenSignal said that between the last quarter of 2017 and the second quarter of this year, 4G availability in the Philippines jumped by nearly 20 percentage points. 

For the said period, download speed also surged by around 80 percent, with PLDT's wireless unit Smart Communications leading the battle over the last two years. 

Smart's 4G availability also climbed 27.8 points, from 59.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017 to 86.9 percent in the second quarter of 2020. 

According to its recent report, "The State of Mobile Network Experience 2020: One year into the 5G Era", the Philippines ranked 67th out of 100 countries for 4G availability. 

OpenSignal attributed the improvements seen in 4G availability and download speeds in the country to telco players' heavy investment in network development. 

Alfredo S. Panlilio, Smart President and CEO and PLDT Chief Revenue Officer, said in a statement the group would continue building its network to deliver quality telco services to Filipinos. 

The results of these speed tests over the past several years show the impact of our sustained network investments, particularly in LTE, in delivering progressively better internet services to our customers. We are continuing that investment effort as we further expand the reach of our LTE service and as we start rolling out 5G, Panlilio said.

What do you guys think?