A voice call reliability deficit logged by one major provider marred an otherwise strong technical performance across Metro Manila transit hubs as telecommunications regulators completed network quality audits for Undas 2026.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) reported that while all three mobile operators met high-speed data delivery targets, Smart Communications Inc. breached the allowable threshold for dropped calls, recording a call drop ratio of 5.26 percent against the maximum benchmark of less than 2 percent.
By contrast, DITO Telecommunity Corp. and Globe Telecom Inc. maintained a zero percent average call drop ratio across monitored sites.
All three companies achieved a 100 percent average success ratio for text messaging, exceeding the regulatory requirement of more than 99 percent.
The NTC’s monitoring activities, conducted on Oct. 29 ahead of peak holiday travel, evaluated network performance across 12 major bus terminals in Metro Manila.
Of the 128 test campaigns completed, 114—or nearly 90 percent—recorded mobile broadband download speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps).
DITO posted the highest recorded download speed at 851 Mbps at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), followed by Smart at 456 Mbps at the same location. Globe registered its peak speed at 330 Mbps at the Raymond Transportation terminal in Quezon City.
The field testing covered terminals operated by Victory Liner, Superlines, Baliwag Transit, Five Star, HM Transport, Bicol Isarog, and Florida Bus in Cubao; Raymond Transportation; Florida Bus and Victory Liner in Sampaloc, Manila; the Araneta Bus Terminal; and PITX.
NTC Deputy Commissioner Andy Castelar emphasized that functional mobile service is vital for holiday travelers navigating crowded transit hubs.
“The Commission commends our MNOs’ readiness to heed the public’s reliance on mobile telecommunications services to communicate with their families, coordinate their trips and access essential information throughout their journey this Undas 2026,” Castelar said.
Following the audit, the regulator urged service providers to address network vulnerabilities in high-density passenger zones and affirmed that nationwide validation operations will continue to enforce industry standards.