Six in 10 5G users in the Philippines say they want guaranteed network performance during critical moments, highlighting growing demand for more reliable mobile connectivity as digital services become increasingly central to everyday life.
The finding comes from an Ericsson ConsumerLab study covering more than 43,000 smartphone users across 27 markets, including about 34,000 active 5G users. In the Philippines, the research surveyed around 1,500 respondents, including 900 active 5G subscribers, representing about 46 million Filipino smartphone users.
The study found that 60% of Filipino 5G users identify situations where guaranteed network performance would be valuable, compared with more than 40% globally. Another 36% said they would be willing to pay a premium for enhanced connectivity.
The demand could encourage telecommunications companies to develop connectivity services that provide additional network performance during specific high-demand situations, rather than relying solely on standard best-effort connections.
Examples could include more reliable connections for live events, gaming, video calls, livestreaming and other activities where interruptions or delays can significantly affect the user experience.
Ericsson estimates that consumers willing to pay for assured connectivity could represent as much as two months of additional average revenue per user annually for service providers. The company also found that 35% of users experience challenging connectivity moments at least once a week.
Artificial intelligence could further increase the demand for responsive mobile networks. Ericsson projects that daily use of multimodal AI services in the Philippines could double from 16% currently to 32% by 2030, while 44% of AI usage is expected to take place outside the home.
The research suggests that future mobile services could increasingly be built around performance guarantees, with options ranging from temporary connectivity boosts to premium plans offering more consistent network performance.
For Philippine telecommunications providers, the findings point to a shift in consumer expectations: having access to a 5G network may no longer be enough for some users, who increasingly want dependable performance precisely when connectivity matters most.
