Philippines - Fixed Broadband Market - Statistics and Analyses

Synopsis

Fixed broadband penetration in the Philippines remains relatively low mainly due to a limited number of fixed lines and the dominance of the mobile platform, which has in turn driven the mobile broadband market.

Despite declining prices in both fixed and mobile broadband, this type of service is still not affordable for the majority of the population. Operators have been pushing hard with competitive low entry-level packages, but the market continues to struggle.

However, the market has grown very strongly over the past five years from a small base.

The DICT has staged a pilot run of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB). It will be operated by the DICT, which will also maintain the related facilities and provide last mile connectivity in the Philippines.

Over the next five years to 2024 strong growth is expected to continue from this very small base as both major fixed broadband operators, PLDT and Globe Telecom continue with their rollouts.

DICT has published its draft terms of reference for the selection of a New Major Player to challenge dominant players in the broadband sector PLDT and Globe Telecom. DICT will assign 3G, 4G and potential 5G mobile frequencies to the new operator.

Smart Communications have teamed up with Google to deploy additional Wi-Fi hubs across the country as part of a drive to provide free connections nationwide.

There has been a major push by market leader PLDT to offer fibre-based services; Globe has been trying to match the PLDT push where it can. PDLT is also deploying hybrid technology, such as G.fast, under a wider three-year program.

PDLT’s ongoing nationwide fibre-optic rollout program, has already set up a number of so-called ‘PLDT Smart City’ areas. A consortium of Filipino-Chinese developers have begun work on an extensive smart city project that will give rise to a mixed-use development off the coast of Manila.