Ookla®, a global leader in connectivity intelligence and a division of Ziff Davis, verified that the hotel met the strict standards of the Speedtest Certified™ program. Best Western Plus Metro Clark recorded a score of 72.5, exceeding the required minimum of 70. The network demonstrated strong signal coverage, high median upload and download speeds, and low latency—ensuring uninterrupted online activity for guests.

The hotel’s network is powered by a 3000 Mbps fiber backhaul from Converge and reinforced by industry best practices in network design, security, and configuration. This ensures ample bandwidth and stable performance even during peak usage.

Chafic Traboulsi, Senior Vice President for Sales EMEA & APAC at Ookla, said, “Fast, reliable Wi-Fi is now a fundamental guest expectation. We congratulate Best Western Plus Metro Clark on achieving Speedtest Certified status and demonstrating leadership in providing a positive digital experience.”

The hotel’s Wi-Fi excellence stems from its partnership with Converge Global Business, which equipped the property with pure fiber connectivity and its Content Plus hospitality solution, offering both ultra-fast internet and premium entertainment channels.

Converge recently secured its third consecutive win in Ookla’s Speedtest Awards for the first half of 2025, sweeping four major categories, including Fastest Fixed Network and Best Fixed Network.

“Being the first hotel in Asia to become Speedtest Certified by Ookla is a tremendous honor,” said Jansen Ivan Uy, President & COO of Savers Group Holdings, operator of Best Western Plus Metro Clark. “Our partnership with Converge enables us to provide an ultra-fast, secure Wi-Fi environment that enhances the experience of both business and leisure travelers.”

Eugene Yeo, Chief Executive Advisor of Converge, added, “This certification validates the strength of our fiber network and the excellent digital experience it provides. Our collaboration with Best Western Plus Metro Clark shows how high-speed, reliable fiber is essential to modern hospitality.”

With its Speedtest Certified™ status, Best Western Plus Metro Clark strengthens its position as a premier, digitally advanced destination in Central Luzon, setting a new benchmark for guest connectivity in the Philippine hospitality sector.

This achievement is based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data, which showed that Globe won in reliability based on Q2 2022, Q3 2022, Q4 2022, Q1 2023, and Q1-Q2 2023.

Its latest win covering Q1-Q2 2023 showed that Globe had the highest Consistency Score™ of 83.64% and was the most available all-technology mobile network at 92.63%.

Reliability is earned by the mobile operator who achieves the highest scores in two key metrics: All Technology Consistency and All Technology Availability.

In Q2 2022, when it first lorded over in reliability, Globe achieved a Consistency Score™ of 79.44% and the highest all-technology mobile network Availability at 93.11%. It maintained momentum in the following quarter, reaching a Consistency Score™ of 82.55% and an Availability score of 92.03%. In Q4 2022, Globe further improved its Consistency Score™ to 83.13%, with an Availability score of 92.38%.

“Globe’s supremacy in reliability, which only a few operators in the world achieve, reflects our relentless pursuit to improve our network and services to uplift the lives of Filipinos. Our commitment to our customers goes beyond network quality; it’s about enhancing their lives through connectivity. We will continue to invest in our infrastructure to ensure that we live up to this title and provide even better services in the future,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO.

Globe’s victory in reliability underscores the brand’s ongoing dedication to delivering top-notch service, fortifying its position as the foremost mobile network in the Philippines. Its continued network buildup is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which fosters infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development.

The detailed findings, authenticated by Ookla’s globally accepted methodologies, can be accessed through the Speedtest Intelligence Portal. It stands as a testament to Globe’s extraordinary consistency, availability, and commitment to its customers.

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have reasserted their dominance as the fastest broadband and 5G mobile network in the Philippines in the second half of 2021, according to the latest report by Ookla®, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence.

Using 325,396 user-initiated 5G tests, Ookla declared Smart as the winner of its Speedtest Awards for Q3-Q4 2021 with a Speed ScoreTM of 201.95, while its closest competition posted a Speed Score of 116.08.

Smart posted a Median Download Speed of 218.82 Mbps and a Median Upload Speed of 22.46 Mbps, while its closest competitor recorded a Median Download Speed of 116.92 Mbps and a Median Upload Speed of 10.81 Mbps.  

Meanwhile, comparing 59,440,567 user-initiated tests taken on various Speedtest applications connected to a fixed network, Ookla also found that PLDT is the country’s Fastest Broadband during Q3-Q4 2021 with a Speed Score of 77.24, top download speeds of 203.97 Mbps and top upload speeds of 217.07 Mbps.

Having won ‘fastest 5G mobile network’ and ‘fastest broadband’ awards for Q1-Q2, PLDT and Smart have swept the Ookla Speedtest Awards™ in all the quarters of 2021.

“These citations prove that our continued fixed and 5G rollout and network improvement efforts across the country are bearing fruit,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, PLDT Inc and Smart Communications President and CEO.

“Nearly two years into this pandemic, more activities continue to shift online. This requires us to be unrelenting with our network initiatives despite pandemic restrictions and natural disasters, such as the recent Super Typhoon Odette. Our network has, in turn, enabled more Filipinos to access the internet to stay connected to their families, keep their livelihoods and businesses, engage in online learning, and participate in e-commerce,” Panlilio added.   

Smart’s mobile network supports the growing mobile needs of its 3G, 4G/LTE and 5G subscribers from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi. As of end-2021, Smart has deployed around 7,200 5G base stations.

Supporting Smart’s mobile network is PLDT’s extensive fiber infrastructure, which is at 743,700 kilometers as of end-December.  

The accelerated deployment of LTE, 5G and fiber across the country is part of PLDT and Smart’s broader initiative to deliver world-class experience to their customers nationwide.

Disclaimer:

Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data Q3–Q4 2021. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission.

Despite the challenging 2020 for all businesses even for the telco. Globe is allotting 80% of its unprecedented P70 billion capital expenditure program this year on data network builds as it aims to deliver first-world internet connectivity for the Filipino.

With the target to build 2,000 towers and 1 million fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) lines, Globe is committed to achieving its network expansion and to support the much needed connectivity.

Currently, Globe was able to build close to 1,300 new cell sites or towers and have modernized 11,529 existing network infrastructure to 4G/LTE. It also delivered 5G services in 1,045 areas across the country. Its fiber-to-the-home rollout also grew 275% in 2020.

While COVID-19 limited mobility, it also fast-tracked the country’s digital transition. Work and study from home arrangements became the norm, boosting demand for a fast and reliable internet connection.

This led to a banner year for Globe’s Home Broadband business which posted revenues of P26.8 billion in 2020, a 23% hike year-on-year from P21.7 billion in 2019.

Total home broadband subscriber base now stands at 3.8 million, an 88% increase from 2019 and a 9% improvement versus the third quarter, driven mainly by the sustained increase in fixed wireless broadband users.

“2020 was a challenging year for Globe but we pulled it through despite the COVID-19 pandemic and adverse economic environment. Our prudent financial management in these turbulent times allowed us to maintain strong cash flows, giving us flexibility to continue to invest back into our network. We are proud of what we have achieved this year, particularly the significant gains at the network front,” said Ernest L. Cu, President and CEO of Globe.

As of end 2020, Globe’s Home Prepaid WiFi data traffic surged 373% from a year ago to 545 petabytes from 115 petabytes in 2019.

Since the launch of the company’s network upgrade, it has been seeing improved results on customers’ overall experience. 

With the support of the Anti Red Tape Authority and the Bayanihan Act 2, Globe was able to see a marked increase in the number of issued permits for the construction of cell sites. 

“We were able to secure the necessary permits to put up close to 1,300 new towers in 2020 as well as upgrade over 11,500 sites with 4G/LTE, resulting in improved network experience for our customers according to third party mobile analytics provider Ookla. A recent Ookla report showed a boost in Globe’s overall consistency score to 60.82% from 56.83% and marked improvements across 16 out of 17 regions,” added Cu.

According to the latest Ookla® data, Globe has a better consistency score than competition in several regions including the Ilocos Region at 64.46% with an increase of 11.58 PPTs (percentage points)^[1]. In fact, Globe’s regional mobile Consistency Score™ registered improvements in 16 out of 17 regions, comparing Q4 2020 to Q3 2020 results.  

Ookla®’s quarterly data shows that Globe’s overall Consistency Score™ in Q4 2020 improved to 60.82% from Q3’s 56.83%. The company registered increases as high as 10 PPTs, with Consistency Scores of up to 65% in Q4 2020^[2]. 

Mobile Consistency Score measures the number of incidences (viewed as a percentage) of a provider’s samples equal or exceeds both a download threshold of 5 Mbps and an upload threshold of 1 Mbps. 

The company strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9 which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.

For more information, visit www.globe.com.ph or download the Globe At Home app on Android and IOS. 

^[1]Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data Q4 2020 in Ilocos Region. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission.

^[2]Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data comparing Q3 2020 to Q4 2020. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission.

The National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC’s) report of improved internet services in the country in recent months has failed to impress Malacañang, which underscored the need for telecommunications firms to strive to be “world-class.”

During an online briefing this week, NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba cited test results from third party internet analytics company, Ookla, which showed an improvement in internet speeds in the country.

Cordoba said Ookla’s speed test showed that the fixed download speed in the Philippines was 28.69 mbps in November, this year; and pointed out that this was a 262.7-percent increase compared to the download speed of 7.91 mbps in 2016.

Likewise, the mobile download speed for November, this year hit 18.49 mbps, also an increase by 148.52 percent from only 7.44 mbps in 2016.

Cordoba also said that fixed broadband speed in the Philippines is now ranked 32^nd of 50 countries in Asia; and that mobile broadband speed puts the Philippines at No. 34 in the region.

However, the NTC’s report drew a wry comment from Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque Jr., who said the country’s telecoms companies should strive to make internet speed and services in the Philippines world-class.

“Our countrymen also want what Globe and Smart want and that is to be world-class. Let’s be honest, at number 34 in Asia, I don’t think we are world class,” President Duterte’s mouthpiece said.

Roque did not mince words in saying that connectivity is not a privilege, but “has become a human right” and, as such, telecommunications companies have a responsibility to continue improving its services.

“I think we are one in recognizing that we need to be world-class,” he said, addressing the telecos. “Let us know what you need from the government because what is important is to provide world-class service to Filipinos.”

At the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay online forum, government reported the approval of 2,220 applications to construct common-use towers in response to President Duterte’s order earlier this year to fast-track processes to improve telecommunications in the country.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said that “the construction of these common cell sites would help improve internet speed and access in the country by a great deal.”

“Right now we have 22,405 towers all over the country. (The) target is to have 50,000 more cell towers,” said Malaya.

He added that 700 more applications to build common towers are still pending. “The ball is now in the court of the telcos to improve their service,” he said.

In separate statements, Globe and PLDT promised greater strides in 2021 to further improve internet services through bigger investments in telecommunications infrastructure.

“As we have said, the service will continually improve as the rollouts happen. You will see incremental increases. In 2021, that would be felt even more because the builds of Globe and PLDT will expand,” said Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu.

For his part, PLDT Chief Revenue Officer and Smart President and CEO Alfredo Panlilio said: “We are putting a lot of budget on infrastructure. It has also been my focus to improve customer care and experience. It’s a task that we need to do and we will for sure commit to do.”