Smart is Fastest Mobile Network in Cebu and Davao City

PLDT's wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has been cited as the Fastest Mobile Network in Cebu City and Davao City, according to Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence. Cebu and Davao cities continue to be major economic, political and cultural hubs outside of Metro Manila, where thousands of customers rely on mobile services not only for communication but also for commerce, education, and other needs.

According to Ookla’s latest study covering Q1-Q2 2023, Smart emerged as the ‘Fastest Mobile Network’ in Cebu City, with a median download speed of 26.47 Mbps and a median upload speed of 7.7 Mbps. On the other hand, its closest competitor in the city posted a median download speed of 21.17 Mbps and a median upload speed of 5.27 Mbps.

Meanwhile, the same study found that in Davao City, Smart also came out on top, with median download speed of 26.09 Mbps and median upload speed of 7.75 Mbps, edging out its nearest competitor, who posted median download and upload speeds of 19.89 Mbps and 5.47 Mbps, respectively.

Among those who stand to benefit from Smart's fastest mobile network is Mila Maghinay, a longtime Smart subscriber from Davao. "I have relied on this network for the last 20 years, especially when I need to connect with my family and friends away from home," said Mila, who is also keen to start a meat delivery service in their neighborhood, relying mostly on mobile internet for business operations.

These latest results come at the heels of Smart's latest 'three-peat' achievement, earning the Philippines’ Best Mobile Network award for the third consecutive reporting period.

The Ookla study showed that Smart continued to deliver the fastest mobile speeds and best mobile coverage to customers, clinching the “Best Mobile Network” award, a rare and prestigious distinction for mobile operators around the world.

Smart initially made history by becoming the first and only mobile operator in the Philippines to receive Ookla's recognition as the "Best Mobile Network" during Q1-Q2 2022. It then continued its success in Q3-Q4 2022, and most recently in Q1-Q2 2023.

"True to our Purpose at PLDT Group, I am proud of how we are able to evolve with our customers’ increasingly digital lifestyles and enable meaningful connections – as attested by our awards from Ookla. As the driving force behind these recognitions, our Fixed, Mobile, and Enterprise customers can rest assured that they can count on us to continuously provide them with the best network possible," said PLDT and Smart President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio.

This level of performance is enabled by Smart's mobile network, which covers 97% of the population as of end-March 2023. Supporting Smart's mobile network is PLDT's fiber infrastructure, the country's most extensive.

PLDT and Smart's continued efforts to elevate customer experience bolster the Group's commitment to its aspirational multi-year transformation. They are also aligned with the focus areas of the government-mandated Private Sector Advisory Council's (PSAC) Digital Infrastructure Pillar and the Go Digital Pilipinas movement, which support the Government's push for nationwide digitalization to narrow the digital divide.

These initiatives contribute to the PLDT Group’s endeavors to provide connectivity to all, and to anchor initiatives on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) particularly on SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

*Based on analysis by Ookla of Speedtest Intelligence data for speed and coverage Q1-Q2, Q3–Q4 2022 & Q1-Q2 2023. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission.