Philippines

Basics

There are so far only two network operators in the Philippines with a third one starting soon:

• Smart Communications (by PLDT, includes Smart, Sun Cellular and Talk'n Text)
• Globe Telecom (includes Tattoo, Touch Mobile/TM, ABS-CBN mobile and Cherry Prepaid)
• [Mislatel about to start at the end of 2020]

Globe had been slowly gaining on the market leader Smart since 2012 when Globe had only a 32% market share. However, over the past years it has closed the gap. Globe finished 2016 with 66.6 million subscribers compared with Smart’s 62.1 million, giving Globe a 52% market share and Smart 48%. This is remarkable as Smart holds 290 MHz bandwidth and employs 12,000 BTS while Globe only 210 MHz and 7000 BTS in 2017.

Third provider: Mislatel

In 2018 a third national provider was selected to fight the duopoly of Smart and Globe: Mislatel for Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company is a joint venture of Filipino businessman Dennis Uy and China Telecom which has been appointed the Philippines’ New Major Player (NMP) or third telco backed by the current president Duerte who promised to break the duopoly.

They have revealed that customers could start using its network on a commercial basis from late 2020, on the proviso it overcomes questions concerning the validity of its franchise award. Mislatel has committed to increase basic internet speed to 55 Mbps and cover 84% of the country’s population over an initial five-year period, through total investment of US$ 4.89 billion.

Frequencies

2G-GSM/EDGE is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G UMTS up to HSPA+ on 850 MHz on Smart and 900 MHz on Globe and mainly on 2100 MHz on both networks. 4G/LTE started in the Metro Manila and has been extened to other cities so far. For 4G/LTE Smart uses 700 MHz (28), 850 MHz (5), 1800 MHz (3) and 2100 MHz (1); Globe uses 700 MHz (28), 1800 MHz (3), 2300 MHz (40 in TDD-LTE) and 2600 MHz (7).

Coverage and speed

2G covers all inhabited islands but is practically useless for data transmission (even for WhatsApp) because of congestion. On 3G you only get data speeds comparably to other southeast Asian countries in Manila and a few provincial capitals. Generally the 3G coverage is somewhat patchy and speeds are often quite low. 4G/LTE coverage isn't nationwide and mostly exists in greater urban areas so far. Both Globe and Smart have pledged to cover 95% of population with 4G/LTE by the end of 2018.

In the Philippines, there is a constant dispute, which network is better: Globe or Smart? By international or regional standards, both of them remain pretty bad. The problem is: you never can tell. On most places (outside of Metro Manila) only one network is useable for data and this changes regionally. For instance, on Boracay, Philippines' premier summer vacation spot, it's Smart. While on Baguio City, the country's summer capital, it's mostly dominated by Globe and Smart's signal is weaker.

If you need data at one particular spot, ask locally which one to choose. But don't ask anyone attached to a provider in a phone shop, they just want to sell their own product. It's better to count the numerous sales outlets instead: the provider with more outlets is likely the better at this location.

In 2016 the Philippines House of Representatives has requested Smart and Globe to explain, why the Filipino people 'are not receiving the quality of service that they deserve'. Smart and Globe will also have to 'show why they should have the privilege to keep their franchises despite the same'. The new controversial president Duterte has now threatened to break up the duopoly in the wake of persistent criticism of the Philippines’ slow and expensive internet services: 'If you do not do it right, you wait, I’m going to China. I’ll open up everything for competition. I’ll just open up everything,' the president warned. So we might soon see Chinese companies competing on the Philippino market.

In the meantime travelling through the Philippines you may think of getting two SIM cards like locals do. The start-up price is minimal and you can always try which operator works (better) at your place. This leaves you with the problem which SIM card to load up for data.

In 2017 the search for a third and possibly fourth operator is under way. The new entrant to be selected needs to invest PHP 30 billion (US$ 596 million) in the first two years to deploy a network, and would need to build at least 2,000 to 3,000 base transceiver stations (BTS) nationwide to break the duopoly of Smart and Globe.

In 2018 both operators launched massive LTE expansion programs to meet the target of the National Telecommunications Commission to provide 4G data services in 90-95% of the country’s cities and municipalities by the end of 2018.

Registration

As it stands, there are still no formal requirements for anyone to provide confirmation of their identity when buying a prepaid SIM card, but be prepared that you will need to show a form of ID (or passport) and fill out some papers at the point of purchase from 2018.

In 2015 the House of Representatives approved a bill which calls for the systematic registration of all prepaid SIM cards in the country. The new rules require that anyone purchasing a SIM card fill in documentation and provide photographic proof of identity at the time of purchase. In 2016 the legislature has filed a bill in a bid to implement a mandatory SIM card registration scheme in the country so that anyone buying a SIM will be required to sign a control-numbered registration form used by the respective public telecommunications entity (PTE) of the card being purchased. The PTEs then have to collect registration forms from direct sellers and submit a copy to the National Telecommunications Commission. The Senate approved this bill in 2018 and SIM registration for new subscribers is now mandatory.  

Reloading

When searching for bigger reloads to your SIM, it's fairly difficult in some areas to find a shop that can offer that. Therefore you might want to use Lazada as at the point of writing, this was the only site found where you can reload your SIM without additional cost (and actually save 5% on your load value) via credit card.

Smart Communications

new logo

Smart Communications by PLDT Inc, is one of the two leading providers in the Philippines with more than 70 million customers on its three brands Smart, Sun Cellular and Talk 'n Text. It was the first to start 4G/LTE in 2012 in Manila and expanded it now to some other cities. For 4G/LTE Smart uses 700 MHz (28), 850 MHz (5), 1800 MHz (3) and 2100 MHz (1).

Availability

old logo

Their usual prepaid SIM card is available practically at every street corner where you see their sign. Start-up price is around 40 Pesos with 300 MB and another 700 MB when you top-up at least P 30 within 3 days of activation. All new SIM cards include 4G/LTE now.

Reloads

Recharges (loads) are available all over the Philippines on every street corner. They use an electronic reloading system in which the merchant uses a special SIM card (retailer's SIM card) to transfer/recharge credits (also known as e-load) into the subscriber's account. Minimum top-up value is P 15 plus a minimal fee of P 1-3 for the merchant.

Following Globe in 2018 Smart has announced that all prepaid loads will have a validity period of one year from now on. To check your balance text '?1515' to 214, enter 214# or *121#.

Data feature packages

Default rate for data usage is P 5 per 15 minutes. These data packs called BigBytes and GigaSurf in 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE sold in these sizes:

Package	Data	Price	Period	Activation
BigBytes 5	15 MB	P 5	1 day	BIG5
BigBytes 10	40 MB	P 10	1 day	BIG10
BigBytes 15	40 MB	P 15	2 days	BIG15
BigBytes 30	100 MB	P 30	1 day	BIG30
GigaSurf 50	1 GB	P 50	3 days	GIGA50
GigaSurf 99	1.5 GB	P 99	7 days	GIGA99
GigaSurf 299	2 GB	P 299	30 days	GIGA299
GigaSurf 499	3.5 GB	P 499	30 days	GIGA499
GigaSurf 799	4.5 GB	P 799	30 days	GIGA799

To activate, text keyword to 9999 (e.g. BIG30 then send it to 9999). Data usage beyond these packages is charged by the default data rate. As a bonus GigaSurf packages contain up to 1.1 GB free FOX, YouTube, Games, iflix, and Spinnr allowances.

Surf Max and Surf Max Plus data packages

Information page here: https://smart.com.ph/bro/data-promos/

Surf Max packages (for prepaid) have a daily data cap of 800 MB, once this is exceeded, the "...connection quality may vary until 12 midnight". 4G and LTE are enabled by default.

• SurfMax (Plus) 50: 1 day, P 50 - activation: SurfMaxPLUS50
• SurfMax 85: 2 days, P85
• SurfMax 200: 5 days, P200
• SurfMax 250: 7 days, P250
• SurfMax 500: 15 days, P500
• SurfMax 995: 30 days, P995 - activation: SURFMAX995

To activate dial *121# and in the following menu choose SurfMax Plus or text code 999. You can buy the same package again ahead of time.

Surf Max Plus packages give unlimited daily access of social networking (Facebook, FB messenger, WhatsApp, Viber and Instagram), while "Open Access" data have an overall limit instead of a daily 800MB cap.

• SurfMax Plus 100: 2 days, 1.5GB (promotion 3GB until May 1 2018. Keyword SMPLUS100
• SurfMax Plus 350: 7 days, 5GB, SMPLUS350
• SurfMax Plus 600: 15 days, 8GB, SMPLUS600
• SurfMax Plus 995: 30 days, 10GB, SMPLUS995

Data Card

The Smart Data Card comes with 2 GB data to any site + 1 GB iflix for P 100 valid for 7 days. It's available for Smart Prepaid nationwide in SM Malls, Robinson’s Malls, 7-Eleven and Ministop.

Tourist SIM cards

For tourists they give out a special free Tourist SIM at all international airports of the country. The same bonuses are included and same packages can be added. You only skip the start-up price.

Smart has partnered with Cebu Pacific Air to launch a free SIM card for tourists. Foreign tourists flying to the Philippines via Cebu Pacific from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan receive a complimentary Cebu Pacific-Smart LTE Tourist SIM, which they can activate upon arrival in the country.

More info

• Download their "My Smart" app
• Tethering and VoIP are allowed
• Unlike Globe, they don't mangle your traffic, i.e. use no transparent proxies (report, which also shows excessive buffering).
• APN: LTE /or/ internet
• Website: http://smart.com.ph

Globe Telecom

Globe Telecom is the only rival of Smart in the Philippines. It is 1/2 owned by SingTel from Singapore and has more than 40 million customers. But most Filipinos hold SIM cards of both operators. Globe sometimes has better data rates, because its cells are less congested. 4G/LTE is available mostly in city areas so far: 4G/LTE coverage list on 700 MHz (28), 1800 MHz (3), 2500 MHz (41/TDD-LTE) and 2600 MHz (7).

Availability

Their prepaid SIM card is available practically at every street corner. It's sold for 40 Pesos. Now most SIM cards are 4G-enabled, but there might be some old ones still around without 4G. Check before buying. You can swap an old 3G SIM in a Globe store for free to a new one, depending on the branch's availability.

Prepaid SIM cards come with a free initial 70 MB data volume allocation valid for 1 week and initial activity period is 2 months. Once expired you have 45 days to recharge the SIM before it will expire for good.

You may adjust your APN configuration manually, if data doesn't work.

Reloads

Reloads are available in every outlet of Globe all over the country from P 10. Most retailers sell it at an extra charge of P 1-3 because they use the share-a-load feature which is charged that amount. There are also reload vouchers available in malls in denominations of 100, 300 and 500 Peso.

To check balance text "BAL" to 222 or enter *143#.

Globe Telecom has announced in summer 2018 that it has fully complied with a Memorandum Circular extending the validity of all prepaid load to one year. Effective 5 July, all Globe prepaid load, including those with denominations below PHP 300, will carry a 1-year expiration period. Back in January, Globe and other carriers started implementing the 1-year expiration period for prepaid load worth PHP 300 and above.

Data feature packages

Data outside of packs is P5 per 15 minutes. All packages are on 4G/LTE too where available. Their packages are called GoSURF:

Price	Time	Data	Bonus	Activation
P 15	2 days	40 MB		GoSURF15
P 50	3 days	1 GB	300 MB for app	GoSURF50
P 299	30 days	1.5 GB	1 GB for app	GoSURF299
P 599	30 days	4 GB	1 GB for app	GoSURF599
P 999	30 days	8 GB	1 GB for app	GoSURF999

All GoSurf packs come with bonus allowances and unlimited domestic SMS. To activate pack, text code to 8888- One app can be selected for bonus out of Snapchat, Instagram, Viber, Facebook, Spotify, YouTube or Twitter. To register your favourite app dial *143#.

Check your remaining data balance by texting "GOSURF STATUS" to 8888. To unsubscribe text "GoSURF STOP" to 8888. All data beyond packages will be charged by the default rate of P5 for a 15 mins or P2 per MB. To know your default rate dial *143#.

Tourist SIM

In 2016 Globe started a partnership with the National Tourism Promotion Board. To support the 'Visit the Philippines Again' campaign, it gives out the Globe Traveler SIM for free. It's available at the Globe booths at NAIA in Manila, Cebu, Davao, Kalibo, Iloilo and Clark International Airports can also be reserved via the Globe website. It's also given out on main incoming flights of Philippine Airlines for free as a promotion. You can add the same data packages from above.

More info

• Tethering is allowed
• They use transparent proxies to "optimize" HTTP and other kinds of traffic, e.g. recompress images, scan .exe files for viruses, see what you have downloaded over BitTorrent.
• Some kinds of VoIP are allowed (Skype works, SIP is blocked)
• APN: lte.globe.com.ph, internet.globe.com.ph /or simply/ INTERNET /or/ LTE
• Website: http://www.globe.com.ph