With the implementation of the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) Act, users have the freedom to switch between networks without changing their numbers. While it is not a smooth experience–Opensignal reported last year that switching networks does not translate to a better experience–their findings for 2023 appear to reveal a few interesting findings–particularly where bad signal or poor network experience encourage Filipinos to switch networks.
In its report, Opensignal notes that everyone who leaves their original network spent less time with a 4G/5G connection before switching from their original network. On a per-network basis, DITO leavers–aka those who left DITO for a different network–experienced 1.8x more time with no signal during the transition period, which is higher compared to the 1.6x experienced with Smart and Globe leavers. However, Opensignal notes that DITO leavers saw an improvement 30 days after changing network operators–the time they spent with no signal dropped from 2.2% to 1.1%. Particularly in the Philippines, those who leave their previous network operators spend less time connected to 4G/5G compared to other users.
An interesting trend Opensignal noticed this time is that Globe users experienced a higher percentage to being connected on a 4G/5G network compared to Smart. Both telcos are on even ground on April 2022 based on Opensignal’s data, with Globe widening its lead over Smart in the succeeding months.
Globe’s lead over Smart in this aspect can be credited with its efforts of upgrading and expanding its infrastructure: in 2022, Globe said that it has deployed 2,267 new 5G sites, connected 1,702 new sites, and upgraded more than 13,600 of its cell sites with 4G.
Despite Globe improving with its 4G/5G connectivity, the same cannot be said with download speeds. Opensignal notes that Smart and DITO leavers experienced slower speeds at 6.8% and 6.9% respectively. Globe leavers, on the other hand, experienced fasteer speeds 30 days after leaving Globe, with download speeds rising has high as 7.9Mbps. Smart leavers experienced their download speeds falling by as much as 5.6Mbps, while DITO leavers did not experienced any significant difference.
With the data that Opensignal gathered, they conclude DITO, Globe, and Smart need to find ways to prevent their customers from experiencing bad signal or a poor experience with their networks. On the other side of the coin, the data Opensignal gathered should make the telco market in the Philippines more competitive–having excellent signal coverage can determine if a customer will stay on the same network or switch to a different one.
