Dave Calpito
Smart leads 4G availability in PH: Opensignal
Manila, Philippines — Smart – the wireless subsidiary of PLDT – is the leader in terms of fourth-generation / long term evolution (4G/LTE) availability in the Philippines.
It is according to Opensignal, an independent analytics firm, as reported by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Based on the data from Opensignal which analyzed the 4G availability in the country’s rural places, Smart gained 70.1 percent as opposed to 64.8 percent of Globe Terlecommunications Inc. (Globe). The analysis covers the period of Sept. 1 through Nov. 30, 2019.
In the meantime, Smart got 82.5 percent as compared with Globe’s 80.3 percent in urban areas.
In the past two years, it can be recalled that the LTE coverage of Smart was behind its rival Globe. However, the former said it consistently delivered “better download experience.” It added it stepped up the rolling out of its LTE and 3G. As a result, the deficit “had been progressively narrowing.”
“The latest report shows these efforts have paid off and that Smart has overtaken in terms of availability,” said Smart.
Smart is also number one in terms of LTE download speeds in the country. Based on Opensignal’s data, Smart has a speed of 8.8 megabits per second (Mbps) as opposed to the 6.2 Mbps of Globe in rural areas. In urban areas, in the meantime, the difference between the two big telecommunications is 3 Mbps – with Smart deemed the winner at 10.5 Mbps as opposed to that of the Globe – (at 7.8 Mbps).
Opensignal said in its report that its users on Smart enjoyed a download speed experience of nearly 3 Mbps. It translates to 38 percent fasters compared to users on Globe.
Specifically, Smart is faster in terms of download speed in the following areas: Ilocos, National Capital Region, Cagayan, Central Luzon, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, as and Soccsksargen (which include South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, as well as General Santos City.
Opensignal added that users from these regions and provinces in the country enjoyed a whopping 15.2 Mbps, giving them “an enviable 5.6 Mbps faster than the speeds” experienced by Globe users.
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