Smart Communications Inc. emerged as the country’s fastest and best mobile network in the first half according to Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence.
The latest Ookla’s Speedtest Awards covering first and second quarters showed that Smart emerged as the ‘fastest mobile network’ with a speed score of 62.22, while its closest competitor posted a speed score of 32.48.
Smart posted a median download speed of 24.26 megabits per second and a median upload speed of 6.59 Mbps, while its closest competitor posted a median download speed of 17.47 Mbps and a median upload speed of 6.43 Mbps.
Smart also dominated the ‘best mobile coverage’ category with a score 794, surpassing its closest competitor’s coverage score of 732. The coverage score captures both the number of locations in which an operator offers service (its footprint) and the quality of service in each location, Ookla said in its report.
“Speedtest Awards, presented by Ookla, are an elite designation reserved for the fastest and top-performing fixed broadband and mobile operators around the world. It is our pleasure to present Smart with the award for Best Mobile Network in the Philippines,” Ookla chief executive Doug Suttles said.
“This recognition is testament to their exceptional performance in H1 2022 based on Ookla’s rigorous analysis of consumer-initiated tests taken with Speedtest,” he said.
PLDT and Smart president and chief executive Alfredo Panlilio said being the first Philippine mobile services provider to be declared as the ‘best mobile network’ is a huge honor for Smart. Darwin G. Amojelar
“This inspires us in our mission to provide better connectivity for our customers as we all adapt to a digitally empowered lifestyle. We aim to enable the life of every Filipino. This aligns with our nation-building efforts as we also support the government’s aspiration to digitalize the country,” Panlilio said.
Smart had around 77,100 total base stations nationwide, including around 7,300 5G base stations as of end-June to support the growing mobile data needs of 3G, 4G/LTE and 5G customers from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi. Darwin G. Amojelar