Globe Telecom calls on Akamai to include the mobile internet results for the Philippines in its quarterly State of the Internet (SOI) report in reaction to the 1st Quarter results released recently where the country’s internet performance was once again benchmarked using fixed broadband internet.
Yoly Crisanto, Globe SVP for Corporate Communications said that similar to other countries, Akamai should include the PH in its report on mobile internet to provide the public with a complete picture on the country’s true state of internet speed. “By using the average speed for fixed broadband to represent the internet speed for the whole country is erroneous. It is not reflective of the true state of internet considering that majority of Filipinos are using mobile data to access the internet. In comparison with other countries, this will again put the Philippines in bad light and will be used as reference in many studies and reports,” Crisanto said.
In the latest SOI report of Akamai, the average internet speed in the Philippines for fixed broadband increased by 24% from 2.8Mbps in Q1 of 2015 to 3.5Mbps in Q1 of 2016. The peak speed also increased by 47% year on year from 20.3Mbps in Q1 2015 to 29.9Mbps this quarter. Due to a history of underinvestment in the area of fixed broadband, the telco industry is trying to catch up by addressing the huge infrastructure gaps in contrast with its Asian neighbors.
Crisanto added that the Akamai report is being used as reference by government agencies, media and special interest groups in creating their position on issues that affect the industry. “Akamai must now realize the importance of their SOI report so they should prioritize the inclusion of the Philippines’ mobile internet in the next report,” Crisanto stressed.
Globe has been reaching out to various sectors to educate the public on the challenges facing the industry with regard to internet speed and costs. Generally, industry investments were used to modernize and improve mobile networks to make mobile internet more pervasive in a shorter period of time. The increasing adoption of smartphones in the country is a testament that the industry strategy putting money in mobile business is sound. However, the new trends on video streaming and digital entertainment is putting pressure on home connectivity where the country is deeply challenged.
Globe is now refocusing its efforts to upgrade its fixed broadband internet backbone nationwide. Addressing the need to enhance fixed broadband is part of the company’s commitment to enhance network coverage for a wider reach and faster data experience for Filipinos nationwide. Earlier this year, the company announced its plan to create an internet super highway by deploying fiber optics in 20,000 barangays all over the country by 2020 to provide ultra-fast internet access to about 2 million homes nationwide.
