The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is expanding its regulatory crackdown on mobile network operators beyond Metro Manila, warning of show-cause orders and daily fines for telecommunications companies failing to resolve signal deficiencies across the country.
The agency confirmed that its Regional Offices routinely conduct mobile broadband speed validation tests nationwide to enforce compliance and improve consumer service standards.
“This enforcement action is not limited to the National Capital Region (NCR),” the NTC said in a statement.
According to the regulator, mobile network operators (MNOs) are issued quarterly notifications listing specific barangays with weak or absent signals, accompanied by directives to execute technical fixes.
The NTC is currently finalizing data from its September 2026 nationwide revalidation. It plans to issue show-cause orders (SCOs) and levy daily administrative fines against operators in NCR and provincial regions reporting high rates of poor connectivity.
The broader nationwide push follows penalization against the country’s three main telecommunications providers, DITO Telecommunity Corp., Globe Telecom Inc., and Smart Communications Inc., over persistent service gaps in the capital region.
On September 24, the NTC issued SCOs against DITO, Globe, and Smart, attaching a daily administrative fine of P100,000 per operator for failing to demonstrate measurable internet speed improvements in designated Metro Manila test areas.
Tests conducted during September revealed that mobile internet speeds in problematic areas remained largely unchanged from first- and second-quarter 2026 baselines. The NCR audit targeted specific coverage zones for each carrier: Globe in Manila, Makati, and Quezon City; DITO in San Juan, Pasay, and Las Piñas; and Smart in Parañaque, Manila, and Pasig.
Under the directives, operators must meet quality-of-service benchmarks and implement immediate technical corrective actions. Telcos are also required to submit comprehensive action plans detailing infrastructure upgrades, technical adjustments, and completion schedules.
The P100,000 daily fine will accrue continuously from receipt of the order until follow-up revalidations verify that signal quality meets regulatory standards.
Following the release of the orders, Globe and Smart noted they had yet to officially receive the documentation, while DITO confirmed receipt and indicated plans to consult with the regulator.
Enforcement measures are grounded in NTC Memorandum Circular No. 001-01-2026, which outlines mandatory performance parameters for public and private communication networks in the Philippines. The commission emphasized that its actions align with its statutory mandate under the Public Service Act to safeguard consumer welfare through faster, more reliable telecommunications services.