THE country’s internet speeds saw improvements in March as both mobile and fixed broadband speeds accelerated during the period, according to the latest figures released by global speed monitoring firm Ookla.
In its latest Speedtest Global Index report, Ookla showed the country’s fixed broadband median download speed rose to 90.57 megabits per second (Mbps) from 90.03 Mbps registered in February.
The latest fixed broadband download speed represents an improvement of 19.66 percent since the Marcos administration began in July 2022.
Meanwhile, mobile median download speed also increased to 25.63 Mbps from 24.58 Mbps in the previous month.
The latest mobile download speed was an improvement of 13.66 percent since July last year.
In a statement, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said that ensuring improvement of internet speed remains a priority as the government urges telecommunications companies to support expediting the digitalization of small businesses and government services.
The NTC said the steady improvement of internet speed also complements the President’s Executive Order 18 directing the establishment of green lanes for strategic investments in all government agencies.
The order directs the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to make available to local government units (LGUs) the software for the computerization of the business permit and licensing system with the help of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The agency said the streamlining and speeding up of the issuance of LGU permits in July 2020 generated a significant increase in permits granted to telcos from July 2020 to February 2023.
“Improvement on internet speed is largely attributed to this development as telcos are able to fast-track building infrastructure (cellular towers and fiber optic network) necessary in boosting services and connectivity,” the NTC said. (GMA Integrated News)
