GLOBE Telecom, Inc. said it met the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) standards for text messaging and dropped calls in the regulator’s latest quality-of-service tests across Metro Manila, following earlier regulatory action over alleged mobile internet service deficiencies.
In a statement on Thursday, the Ayala-led telecommunications company said it recorded an average short message service (SMS) success rate of 99.41%, making it the only operator among the country’s three major mobile providers to meet the NTC’s prescribed standard of above 99%.
Globe also reported an average dropped-call ratio of 0.74%, within the regulator’s threshold of below 2%, and a peak mobile broadband download speed of 381 megabits per second (Mbps).
Citing the NTC’s test results, Globe said 113 of 142 mobile broadband test campaigns conducted across the three operators recorded download speeds above 50 Mbps.
The company said the regulator described mobile broadband performance in most tested areas as very satisfactory.
“We welcome the NTC’s continued monitoring as it provides an important measure of service quality and helps us identify where further improvements are needed,” Globe General Counsel Vicente Froilan M. Castelo said.
The latest tests follow the NTC’s earlier regulatory action against Globe, Smart Communications, Inc., and DITO Telecommunity Corp. over alleged deficiencies in mobile internet services in Metro Manila.
In September, the regulator said its validation tests showed that previously identified mobile broadband deficiencies had not substantially improved.
The NTC subsequently issued show-cause orders against the three operators involving a reported P100,000 daily penalty starting Sept. 25.
In a Sept. 29 stock exchange disclosure, Globe confirmed receiving the NTC’s show-cause order dated Sept. 24 and said it was reviewing the matter and intended to respond within the prescribed period.
Earlier this month, the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO) raised concerns over due process and testing standards in connection with the NTC’s enforcement measures.
The latest test results do not establish whether the deficiencies cited in the earlier regulatory action have been resolved.
Separately, Globe cited data from the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) Oplan Bantay Signal monitoring showing that its overall network performance score increased to 82.6 in September from 77.2 in January.
According to the company, its average download speed rose by 41% to 51.53 Mbps from 36.5 Mbps over the same period.
Citing the DICT’s Telco Report Card, Globe also said it accounted for 44.76% of mobile subscribers but 6.1% of disconnection complaints in September. The company said complaints had declined by 64% from January.
Globe said it was continuing network infrastructure improvements and site deployments, including efforts to expand coverage in underserved areas and pursue satellite direct-to-cell technology. — Ashley Erika O. Jose