Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) recorded a zero-percent call drop ratio in the latest real-world quality-of-service tests conducted by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in Metro Manila. The tests also recorded peak mobile broadband speeds of 377 Mbps along San Francisco Street in Mandaluyong City.
The results highlight Smart’s performance in the regulator’s latest assessment of mobile voice and data services. The company said it would continue working with the NTC to address areas of concern and improve network quality.
Why it matters: Dropped calls and inconsistent mobile data speeds can affect everyday communication, particularly for commuters, remote workers, and people who rely on mobile networks for work and essential services. The NTC’s drive tests provide a real-world assessment of network performance in the areas covered by the testing.
The details: According to Smart, the NTC’s latest drive tests recorded an average call drop ratio of zero percent for its network in Metro Manila. This met the regulator’s prescribed threshold of below 2%.
The tests also recorded peak mobile broadband speeds of 377 Mbps along San Francisco Street in Mandaluyong City. This figure represents the peak speed reported at the specified location, rather than an average speed across Metro Manila.
Smart said it remains committed to working with the NTC to assess network performance, address areas needing improvement, and strengthen the customer experience.
Debbie Hu, first vice president and head of Network Build and Implementation at PLDT and Smart, said the zero-percent call drop result was a positive outcome for voice-call reliability, while emphasizing the need for continued network assessment and improvement.
The bigger picture: Smart also cited results from the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) September 2026 Oplan Bantay Signal report, a separate assessment of mobile network performance.
In that report, Smart maintained a “Good” overall network performance rating, scoring 80.3 and recording an average download speed of 52.22 Mbps. According to Smart, this made it the fastest mobile network under the assessment.
The company also reported zero crisis cities nationwide for the fifth consecutive month, with all cities measured in the assessment recording download speeds above 15 Mbps.
Between the lines: The NTC drive tests and DICT assessment measure network performance in different ways, so their results should be considered separately. The zero-percent call drop ratio applies to the latest NTC tests in Metro Manila, while the 52.22 Mbps average download speed and crisis-city findings come from the DICT’s September report.
Peak speeds also do not necessarily reflect the experience of every subscriber. Actual performance can vary depending on location, network congestion, device capabilities, and signal conditions.
For Filipinos: The results offer an indication of Smart’s voice and mobile data performance in the areas covered by the assessments. However, subscribers should consider local coverage and their own usage needs when evaluating mobile service, as performance may differ between cities and even between locations within the same area.
What’s next: Smart said it would continue coordinating with the NTC to address areas of concern and strengthen its network. The company is also pointing to independent industry recognition from Ookla, which named Smart the provider of the Best Mobile Video Experience in the Philippines for the first half of 2026.
Ookla awarded Smart a Video Score of 72.82, the highest among mobile operators in the country for that assessment period.
The Bottom Line: Smart recorded zero dropped calls in the latest NTC Metro Manila drive tests and a peak mobile broadband speed of 377 Mbps at a location in Mandaluyong City. Combined with the results cited from the DICT and Ookla, the figures provide several indicators of the operator’s network performance, although individual users may experience different results depending on their location and conditions.
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