Globe Telecom, Inc. and DITO Telecommunity Corp. are facing a P100,000 daily penalty from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) after the regulator found that previously identified mobile broadband service problems in parts of Metro Manila had not substantially improved.
The NTC prepared show-cause orders imposing the daily penalty on Globe, DITO and Smart Communications beginning September 25 and continuing until the identified service deficiencies are fully corrected. The action followed September 2026 revalidation tests that the regulator said showed little measurable improvement compared with its earlier assessments.
For Globe, the areas flagged by the NTC were Manila, Makati and Quezon City. DITO was cited for service concerns in San Juan, Pasay and Las Piñas, while Smart was flagged in Parañaque, Manila and Pasig. The NTC said it will conduct tests every two weeks in the affected areas to determine whether the required network improvements have been implemented.
Globe, however, said it had not yet received the show-cause order as of its latest disclosure. The company also pointed to recent Department of Information and Communications Technology data showing Globe recorded a year-high average speed of 45.9 Mbps, with latency below 20 milliseconds. Globe emphasized that network quality involves more than download speeds, including consistency and reliability during periods of high demand and disruptions.
DITO CME Holdings, the parent company of DITO Telecommunity, confirmed that its telecommunications subsidiary had received the show-cause letter. DITO said it is discussing the contents of the order with the NTC and will provide updates as developments occur.
Smart has also said it had not received the reported show-cause order and therefore could not yet comment on its terms, applicability or potential impact on its business and operations. The company said it would review the order and respond through the appropriate regulatory channels once received.
The NTC said the September revalidation was conducted after the operators had been given an opportunity to undertake urgent corrective measures. According to the regulator, previously recorded poor mobile broadband signals remained substantially unchanged.
The enforcement action is based on the NTC’s authority under the Public Service Act to investigate and enforce compliance with telecommunications standards, rules and regulations. The regulator said it will continue monitoring mobile broadband performance beyond the specifically identified areas in Metro Manila.
The NTC also clarified that its enforcement efforts are not limited to the National Capital Region. The agency regularly conducts nationwide mobile broadband validation through its regional offices and notifies operators of barangays where weak or nonexistent signals have been identified, with corresponding orders to improve service quality.
For subscribers, the dispute highlights the continuing regulatory focus on mobile internet reliability as demand for broadband connectivity grows. The outcome of the NTC’s follow-up tests will determine when the daily penalties can be lifted for the affected operators.
The telcos’ responses also underscore an important distinction in the case: while the NTC has announced the P100,000 daily penalty, Globe and Smart have said they had not yet received their respective orders, while DITO has confirmed receipt and begun discussions with the regulator.
