For the Speedtest Global Index report for May 2021, it is all good news for the Philippines, as the country has improved its speeds for both broadband and mobile, making it climb up the ranks yet again.

Fixed broadband made a big jump, as the Philippines climbs up by 15 spots and now is on the 65th spot. Download speeds for broadband made a jump to 58.73Mbps, which is almost 10Mbps higher than that in April, where the Philippines averaged 49.31Mbps.

As for mobile, the Philippines climbed up by seven spots and is now on the 77th spot. Mobile download speeds got a boost too, with average download speeds of 29.12 Mbps for May compared to 25.43Mbps last April.

With telco companies fast-tracking their rollout of new infrastructure, the NTC is confident that speeds for both mobile and broadband will go higher in the coming months. “The National Telecommunications Commission, PLDT, Globe, Converge and DITO also welcomed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) initiative to allow telecommunication companies to occupy a portion of the government’s Right of Way (ROW) as part of the government’s thrust to ensure internet connectivity throughout the country,” NTC said.

Aside from Smart, Globe, and Converge increasing their capital expenditures to expand their coverage and improve overall services, third telco DITO is steadily expanding its coverage nationwide despite being just three months old. During its Independence Day presscon, DITO  said that they are on pace to reach 1 million subscribers by the end of June, and that they aim to hit the goal of having 51% nationwide coverage by July 8 in time for their second technical audit.

Smart and PLDT, on the other hand, are deploying new carbon fiber towers that are lighter than traditional steel towers and are more resilient against disasters like strong winds brought by typhoons.