NTC flags mobile call disruptions at terminals

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) tested mobile connectivity at major Metro Manila bus terminals ahead of the Undas holidays, assessing call quality, mobile broadband speeds and text messaging reliability across three telecommunications providers.

Tests conducted on 29 October showed varying results among Smart Communications Inc., Globe Telecom Inc. and DITO Telecommunity Corp.

The NTC recorded an average call drop ratio of 5.26 percent for Smart, while Globe and DITO posted zero-percent ratios. The commission’s allowable call drop rate is less than 2 percent.

Of 128 mobile broadband tests conducted across 12 bus terminals, 114 recorded download speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps).

DITO recorded the highest download speed at 851 Mbps at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, followed by Smart at 456 Mbps at the same terminal. Globe’s highest recorded speed was 330 Mbps at the Raymond Transportation terminal in Quezon City.

All three telecommunications providers recorded a 100-percent average success rate for text messages, exceeding the NTC requirement of more than 99 percent.