MANILA, Philippines — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said Friday it can be checked whether there is any improvement in internet speed in the country by the end of December after telecommunication firms complete the construction of new cell sites.
“Nakikita naman po natin na pataas e. Pataas iyong average speed so mayroon pong improvement. Iyon nga lang, hindi gaanong substantial ang improvement,” NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios said during a televised Laging Handa Public Briefing.
“Makikita po natin by December this year, by end of this month makikita natin kung mayroong mas malaking improvement sa speed compared to November kasi by that time dapat marami nang cell sites ang naitayo kasi 3 months ang pagtatayo ng cell sites,” he added.
During his State of the Nation Address in July, President Rodrigo Duterte warned telco giants Globe Telecom and PLDT-Smart to shape up by December or face expropriation.
The Philippines currently ranked 32nd out of 50 Asian countries in terms of fixed broadband and 34th out of 50 in terms of mobile download speed, according to NTC.