Mobile Network Speed and Internet Connectivity in the Philippines
The Philippines has substantially expanded the coverage of its mobile network over the past decade by rolling out new technologies like 4G LTE and 5G throughout the majority of its urban and rural areas. For the many Filipinos today, digital communication is now more accessible and dependable due to advancements in connectivity, internet availability, and connection speeds. Although there are still gaps between urban and rural communities, the nation's average internet speed is steadily increasing as mobile network carriers continue to improve their infrastructure to accommodate greater data speeds.
With Globe, Smart, and DITO Telecommunity – three of the major mobile network providers in the country, 56.1% of the population or over 14 million Filipinos are now interconnected both through cellular networks and the greater internet landscape.
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3G / 4G / 5G Coverage Map of the Philippines by nperf
Bandwidth and Beyond:
Which Region is Most Connected?
Across the Philippines, connectivity continues to be an essential component of daily life as it supports important systems including business, finance, health, and education. In recent years, it has been evident how a more inclusive digital society is being fostered as the nation embraces more advanced technologies, improving social connections, economic activity, and government services.
Data Source: Department of Information, Communications and Technology, 2022
Visuals by: Juan Miguel De Veyra
Notably, the Household ICT Level Access Report shows that 90% of households in the National Capital Region and 89% of homes in Ilocos Region (Region I) have internet access, leading the list of regions in terms of connectivity. Central Luzon (Region III) and CALABARZON (Region IV-A) follow third with 88% of its population having internet access.
Internet connectivity in Mindanao also improved in recent years and is reflected in the consistently increasing percentage of households with internet. All six regions in Mindanao have more than half of their households with internet, with Northern Mindanao (Region X) leading the list having 78% of its households with access to internet. The increasing figures suggest that more areas are having mobile network and internet coverage despite difficulties in digital infrastructure and expanded bandwidths.
A Digitally Connected Archipelago
Percentage of Households Covered by a Mobile Network,
by type of connection and by region
By Fixed Wired Broadband Network
Fixed Wired Broadband Networks: The national average for households with fixed wired broadband networks was 28% in 2022. Regions with most households having fixed wired broadband networks include National Capital Region (58.26%), Region IV-A CALABARZON (47.98%), and Region III Central Luzon (33.85%). Such networks refer to technologies with advertised 256 kbit/s. This includes Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), cable modem, high speed leased lines, fiber to the home/building, powerline, and other fixed wired broadband.
By Mobile Broadband Network
Mobile Broadband Networks: Central Visayas (Region VII), Cordillera Administrative Region, and National Capital Region logs more than 60% of its populations having mobile broadband networks. This is an internet connection via a handset, a card (such as integrated Subscriber Identity Module or SIM card), or a USB modem.
By Fixed Wireless Broadband Network
By Satellite Broadband Network
Data Source: Department of Information, Communications and Technology, 2022
Visuals by: Juan Miguel De Veyra
Fixed Wireless Broadband Networks and Satellite Networks: In contrast, the percentage of households in the country with fixed wireless broadband as well satellite networks is relatively lower compared to mobile and fixed wired broadbands, both having a national average lower than 10%. Regions with a percentage of households slightly above the national average for fixed wireless broadband networks include Region III Central Luzon (13.71%), Region XI Davao Region (11.65%), and Cordillera Administrative Region (9.62%).
The Department of Information, Communications and Technology (2022) noted four types of connection present and commonly used in all seventeen regions of the country namely: (1) fixed wired broadband network, (2) fixed wireless broadband network, (3) satellite broadband network, and (4) mobile broadband network. Among the four, the DICT logs mobile broadband network as the most utilized type of connection across the country, accounting for over 55% of the total population as its users.
Percentage of Households with Technology, by type of ICT device and by region
Alongside internet access, gadget ownership among Filipinos has significantly increased since the beginning of the digital revolution. Filipinos across the country connect to the online world through various devices, spending an average of three hours daily on various social media applications. In the 2022 Household ICT Level Access Report, DICT identified four main devices commonly present in Filipino households namely: (1) cellphone, (2) desktop, (3) laptop, and (4) tablet.
Proportion of Population Covered with Technology, by type of ICT Device
With Cellphones
With Cellphones: Over 97% of households in the National Capital Region own a cellphone. Following second and third with the highest percentage of households having this type of device is Region IV-A CALABARZON (95.76%) and Region III Central Luzon (95.64%). The referred device is identified as a portable telephone that uses cellular technology to access the PSTN, including the likes of analog and digital cellular systems and technologies.
With Desktops
With Desktops: Region VII (Central Visayas) leads the list with the highest percentage of households with desktops having 75.04%, significantly higher than the national average. The Cordillera Administrative Region follows with 68.22% of its households, then Ilocos Region (Region I) coming in third with 68.22% of its households having or owning a desktop. Desktops are computers that remain fixed in one place, normally the user is placed in front of it, behind the keyboard.
With Laptops
With Tablets or Similar Device
Data Source: Department of Information, Communications and Technology, 2022
Visuals by: Juan Miguel De Veyra
With Laptops: The National Capital Region leads the list with the most number of households with laptops, with over 32% of its households. Cordillera Administrative Region comes second with 30.06%, followed by CALABARZON (Region IV-A) with 28.19% of its homes having or owning a laptop. In contrast to a desktop, a laptop is a computer that is small enough to carry around and enables the same tasks as a desktop computer (e.g., notebooks and netbooks) but does not include tablets and similar handheld computers.
With Tablets or Similar Device: The National Capital Region also leads the list with the most number of households with a tablet or similar device, with 23.22% of households and significantly higher than the 9% national average. CALABARZON (Region IV-A) follows with 10.59% of its households, and Cordillera Administrative Region comes in third with 10.39% of its households. By definition, a tablet is a computer that is integrated into a flat touch screen and is operated by touching it. Compared to a desktop and a laptop, using a physical keyboard with this device is optional.
Among the identified ICT devices, smartphones or cellphones are the most frequently present device in over 92% of households across the Philippines. This accounts for 7 out of 10 Filipinos having or owning a cellphone, equating to at least two individuals in a household of four. Moreover, 55% of Filipino households own a desktop, while 20% of homes have a laptop and 9% are with a tablet or similar device.
Advancing as a Technologically Driven Nation
The Philippines has made transformative strides in ensuring digital development across both rural and urban areas, instead of just catering to populations in metropolitan cities. Mobile network coverage has expanded, quality of signal reception has been improved, and additional digital infrastructure narrowed the digital divide among the country’s regions. Increased internet penetration of technology and device users further corroborates the interconnectedness of Filipinos within and beyond the country, despite being situated in different islands.
However, improved internet access and mobile network coverage does not only mean a more connected nation. It also equates to augmented services and systems in education, healthcare, business, and government. National development also heavily relies on the empowerment of its citizens through critical involvement in the digital landscape, becoming trailblazers in the utilization of technology for greater purpose.
While the digital divide is consistently addressed through multiple efforts both from government and private sectors, we continue to move forward as a technologically driven nation where forward-looking public policy and private sector competition accelerate digital information. By harnessing more opportunities through connectivity, we create a more competitive, resilient, and tech-driven future — one city at a time.