Source: Filipino Times
OOKLA Speed Test Global Index Rating is done by comparing different internet speed data from around the world. In the Internet speed test conducted in April 2020, the Philippines ranked 121st out of 139 countries surveyed for mobile internet speed and 110th out of 174th for fixed broadband internet speed.
OOKLA data from an internet speed test survey conducted in April 2020
Today is full of technological advances and innovations for a better life, but the Philippines has yet to take full advantage of this opportunity. The country’s average mobile internet download speed of 12.09 megabits per second (Mbps) is well below the world speed of 30.89 Mbps. In addition, the average fixed broadband Internet download speed in the Philippines, 21.00 Mbps, is lower than the world speed of 39.62 Mbps. These results show that the Philippines is still far from a reliable and efficient internet connection.
Source: Philippine Primer
Why is the Philippines still labeled as “a country with a slow internet”? The reason is the fact that there is a significant shortage of base stations. The number of base stations is the smallest in Asia, compared to Vietnam with more than 70,000 and China with more than 1 million. There are only 16,400 base stations in the Philippines serving approximately 67 million Internet users.
Why is there still a lack of infrastructure, even though it is recognized as a country where the Internet is not fully available? The private sector trying to build a base station runs into barriers set by the government. At least 25 permits and documents are required to build a base station. According to Globe, a leading telecommunications service provider in the Philippines, it can take up to eight months to get approval. What is the government doing to mitigate this problem?
Plan for improvement
DICT (Information and Communication Technology Bureau) is aiming for a measure to significantly reduce the processing of important documents and permits to 7 days. Another initiative is the open access bill. It aims to increase network competition, assist small broadband providers in areas where large networks do not enter, and provide consistent regulation for data transmission networks.
Despite being the country with the slowest internet connection in Asia, according to OOKLA, the internet speed in the Philippines increased significantly from 2019 to 2020. Mobile internet speeds increased by 9.92% and fixed broadband internet speeds increased by 40.75%. In addition, the entry of provider Mislatel Consortium will make the Internet more affordable. The company is the third largest telecommunications company to offer fast, reliable, secure and affordable services.
President Rodrigo Duterte, Gamaliel Cordoba (far left) and Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gregorio Honasan II (second from left) of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) were at the ceremony held at Malakanan Palace on July 8, 2019. , Dennis Uy of Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company (Mislatel) was awarded the Certificate of Public Convenience and Need (CPCN). ALFRED FRIAS / Presidential Photo
