The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has imposed a daily fine of P100,000 beginning September against the country’s three major mobile network operators, DITO Telecommunity Corp., Globe Telecom Inc. and Smart Communications Inc., after revalidation tests revealed no measurable progress in resolving poor mobile broadband performance across Metro Manila.
According to the regulatory body, September mobile speed tests indicated that previously flagged weak signal zones showed no substantial improvement compared to baseline assessments conducted during the first and second quarters of 2026. Despite receiving prior notice to implement urgent remedial measures, service deficiencies across all three providers persisted.
The September revalidation focused on targeted municipal sectors for each carrier:
Globe Telecom Inc.: Evaluated in Manila, Makati, and Quezon City.
DITO Telecommunity Corp.: Assessed in San Juan, Pasay, and Las Piñas.
Smart Communications Inc.: Tested in Parañaque, Manila, and Pasig.
The NTC issued Show Cause Orders against DITO, Globe, and Smart, applying the P100,000 daily penalty starting September 2026 until each provider fully rectifies the cited network defects.
The regulatory enforcement is grounded in Section 17(a) of Commonwealth Act No. 146, as amended by Republic Act No. 11659 (the Public Service Act), which empowers the Commission to investigate non-compliance and enforce technical quality standards across public service providers.
To verify compliance, the NTC announced it will execute bi-weekly field re-testing in the affected locations while expanding quality-of-service monitoring across additional areas within the National Capital Region. The agency reiterated that the stringent oversight aims to protect consumers and guarantee reliable, high-quality mobile broadband connectivity nationwide.