Telcos dispute P100K fine daily over poor internet

MANILA, Philippines — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has issued show-cause orders to DITO Telecommunity, Globe Telecom and Smart Communications over internet quality, penalizing them P100,000 each per day starting Sept. 25 until service issues are fixed in identified areas.

In response, the telcos said they are disputing the regulatory order, emphasizing that they have been upgrading their network assets to improve coverage.

Both Globe and Smart parent company PLDT Inc. yesterday said they have yet to receive the show-cause order.

Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo said telcos invest in more than just speeds, but on network consistency to keep internet services up all the time.

“Customers need a network they can depend on every day, and that goes beyond speed. It means being able to stay connected consistently – including during periods of high demand, disruptions and emergencies,” Castelo said.

Likewise, Castelo raised the latest report of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), wherein Globe posted a year-high speed of 45.9 Mbps and latency of under 20 milliseconds.

Smart, on the other hand, was left wondering why the NTC had disclosed the order to the public first before allowing it to reach the telcos involved.

“Smart is not in a position at this time to confirm or comment on the reported penalty, including its terms, applicability or potential impact on the business and operations of Smart,” it said.

Dito Telecommunity Corp.’s parent Dito CME Holdings Corp. is the only telco that has received the order as of yesterday. However, Dito said it is discussing the contents with the NTC, declining to say what its steps forward are.

The NTC is penalizing the telcos for reportedly failing to improve their internet speeds as per its September audit. In particular, the NTC said Globe needs to step up in Makati and Quezon City; and Smart in Manila, Parañaque and Pasig.

Dito will also have to be revalidated in Las Piñas, Pasay and San Juan before its fine is lifted.

However, the NTC did not disclose the specific speeds of each operator proving that their service quality failed to meet standards.

In a clarificatory statement yesterday, NTC said its mobile broadband speed validation is “regularly being conducted nationwide through its regional offices.”

“This enforcement action is not limited to the National Capital Region,” the regulatory body said. “The NTC regularly notifies mobile network operators on a quarterly basis of a list of barangays validated nationwide with no signal/weak signal, and with an order to implement improvements to strengthen the quality of service in the identified areas.”

Meanwhile, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said he is backing the NTC’s move.

“I support the NTC’s exercise of their regulatory powers,” he told The STAR. — Rainier Allan Ronda

abtestabtest Baste set to appear this week at impeachment court By Delon Porcalla | 1 day ago Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV are slated to take the witness... Headlines Marcos calls Sara Duterte a ‘liar’ for linking Gracioso claims to admin By Renalyn Ramirez | 6 hours ago Marcos chose to respond to Duterte this time as her accusations became repetitive, Claire Castro said. Headlines Chiz clears VP’s AMLC records for impeachment use By Neil Jayson Servallos | 1 day ago Financial documents from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) can now be used as evidence in the ongoing impeachment trial... Headlines Ex-cop who claimed cash deliveries to Sara Duterte dismissed from PNP By Ian Laqui | 1 day ago Under a dismissal order dated September 15, Rodulfo Gracioso was dismissed from police service on Sept. 11, 2026. Headlines PCG: Chinese ship faked location near Batanes cable corridor By Cristina Chi | 6 hours ago The Chinese survey ship hid movements off Batanes, the Philippine Coast Guard says. Headlines Latest More in Headlines Transport groups slam ‘insufficient’ fare hike PNP confirms Sara accuser was detailed as Velasco aide BSKE postponement challenged before SC Romualdez seeks bail in plunder case abtest 2 Pinoy tourists die in Bavaria bus crash By Pia Lee-Brago | 24 minutes ago Two Filipino tourists in Germany died when a bus carrying them from Milan to Munich’s Oktoberfest beer festival overturned... Headlines ‘11 contracts won by GenCorp had no public bidding’ By Neil Jayson Servallos | 24 minutes ago The Davao City government awarded 11 of its 15 contracts to private firm GenCorp without public bidding, a procurement official... Headlines PCG challenges China ships off Mindoro, Batanes By Andrew Ronquillo | 24 minutes ago The Philippine Coast Guard has challenged a China Coast Guard vessel near Cabra Island in Occidental Mindoro and... Headlines Malacañang: No cover-up in Taguig ghost projects By Helen Flores | 24 minutes ago Malacañang has called for a deeper probe into alleged ghost projects in Taguig City, assuring the public that there... Headlines Defense: No decision yet on questioning vote to convict By Bella Cariaso | 24 minutes ago There is no final decision yet on whether the defense will file a petition before the Supreme Court questioning the Senate... Headlines Recommended Baste set to appear this week at impeachment court 1 day ago Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV are slated to take the witness... HeadlinesIMPEACHMENT Chiz clears VP’s AMLC records for impeachment use 1 day ago Financial documents from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) can now be used as evidence in the ongoing impeachment trial... HeadlinesFINANCIAL Impeachment court hopes SC rules soon on vote threshold 1 day ago To avert a looming constitutional crisis, the Senate impeachment court is counting on the Supreme Court (SC) to swiftly settle... HeadlinesIMPEACHMENT Palace tells Sara Duterte to ‘level up’ defense over cash claims 1 day ago Malacañang called out Vice President Sara Duterte over her recent public statements, urging her to address the allegations... HeadlinesCLAIRE CASTROCORRUPTIONLORD ALLAN VELASCO Ex-cop who claimed cash deliveries to Sara Duterte dismissed from PNP 1 day ago Under a dismissal order dated September 15, Rodulfo Gracioso was dismissed from police service on Sept. 11, 2026. HeadlinesCASHCORRUPTIONLORD ALLAN VELASCO next Recommended Baste set to appear this week at impeachment court Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV are slated to take the witness stand before the Senate impeachment court this week, as prosecutors drill down on Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged ill-gotten wealth.  1 day ago IMPEACHMENT Chiz clears VP’s AMLC records for impeachment use Financial documents from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) can now be used as evidence in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, following clearance from presiding officer Francis Escudero. 1 day ago FINANCIAL Impeachment court hopes SC rules soon on vote threshold To avert a looming constitutional crisis, the Senate impeachment court is counting on the Supreme Court (SC) to swiftly settle the petitions against its decision to count only the votes of present senators in the two-thirds threshold to convict Vice President Sara Duterte. 1 day ago IMPEACHMENT Palace tells Sara Duterte to ‘level up’ defense over cash claims Malacañang called out Vice President Sara Duterte over her recent public statements, urging her to address the allegations raised against her with concrete evidence rather than resorting to personal attacks and rhetorical evasions. 1 day ago CLAIRE CASTRO CORRUPTION LORD ALLAN VELASCO Ex-cop who claimed cash deliveries to Sara Duterte dismissed from PNP Under a dismissal order dated September 15, Rodulfo Gracioso was dismissed from police service on Sept. 11, 2026. 1 day ago CASH CORRUPTION LORD ALLAN VELASCO OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!