Top Internet Providers in Metro Manila and what they have to offer

Having a reliable internet connection is one of the most crucial tool needed in order to keep up with today’s setup for both work and school. With 2020 bringing about the pandemic, and almost all life resorting to online delivery instead of face-to-face, having a stable internet connection has established itself to be essential in order to function and remain productive in this new setting (which may prove to be difficult, especially for someone living in the busiest and most densely populated region of the country — Metro Manila). With that being said, here is a quick guide on the available internet providers in Metro Manila and their offered plans and services.

Globe Telecom

One of the largest telecommunications services, fixed lines, and broadband network provider, and mobile network operator in the Philippines. Globe Telecom, Inc. has been acknowledged throughout the country as having the best option in terms of wireless connectivity. Being one of the first to offer 5G connection to their broadband and mobile users, Globe has proven to be one of the most reliable in terms of internet stability and fast download speeds, plus their customer service team are prompt in responding to concerns as well.

SKY

Sky Cable Corporation first and foremost known in the country for its services in cable, and satellite television. For only recently entering the broadband represented by “One Sky”, the company has proved to be efficient and reasonable with their services (plus all their plans have no monthly data cap!). Using their cable strong suit as an advantage as they offer internet and cable bundle packages for families in a budget.  Keep in mind though that since they are fairly new to the industry, the areas in which they operate are limited and may sometimes be downgraded which often happens with the packages that come with cable.

PLDT

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) is the biggest telecom service provider in the Philippines. A pioneer in providing internet not only in Metro Manila but also to most of the country, province or major city, because of their wide coverage. They offer an array of options for internet plans, whether it be postpaid or prepaid, providing Fiber, DSL or LTE plans depending on what will best suit your internet requirement. They also offer bundles (taking note from their competitor One Sky), partnering with Cignal HDTV, Whole Home WiFi (Wifi Mesh System — no dead spots), and free landline. Take note though that because of their wide coverage, there is a lack of coordination in regards to their service crews due to independent contractors being hired, this could create problems when trying to report connectivity issues to the company.

Converge

Converge ICT Solutions Inc., commonly referred to as Converge, is one of the newest telecommunications service provider in the country. Focusing on providing a pure fiber-exclusive internet connectivity, the company is garnering attention by offering an inexpensive but faster connection speed with unlimited data cap unmatched by their competitors. If you’re only looking to invest in fast internet service (since they don’t offer any freebies bundled with the internet plan), then this is the company for you.

RISE

Another newcomer RISE (Responsible Internet Sustainability Effort), strives to provide the best internet service experience to customers and works to continually improve their internet service characteristics, including speed, reliability and overall quality.

RADIUS

Radius Telecoms, Inc., a Meralco company, offers its services to the Greater Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon. In November 2020, the company partnered with CIGNAL TV launched RED Fiber to offer its users a reliable and faster internet service as a way to cope with the demand brought about by the online education and work from home needs of the Filipino people. Its packages will also include access to Cignal TV’s app and Cignal Play. Furthermore, RED Fiber will be offering an online portal for its new subscribers to provide ease and accessibility, given the pandemic.

Eastern Communications

Eastern Communications is one of the first Philippine telecommunications company, and has continuously evolved into a world-class telecommunications and ICT solutions company extending its services to Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, South and North Luzon. It offers services involving Data, Internet, Voice, Managed Services, Data Center & Cloud Services, and Cyber Security Services. The company guarantees a reliable internet service, with unlimited internet data, no data throttling, and a 24/7 customer support with actual agents and not just chat bots to better assist their customers. Its internet services include the following:

PT&T

Founded in 1962, the Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (PT&T), is one of the major telecommunications services provider in the Philippines. The company offers high-speed internet using fiber optic cables mostly catering to corporate, and small/medium business, with allocation of 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. The company did not disclose how much exactly are their plans for businesses and corporations other than stating that it starts at ₱1,899. Residential plans are also offered across the country, however most of them maxes out at 15 Mbps.

PHILCOM

The Philippine Global Communications, Inc. (Philcom) is one of the few franchise holders granted with a nationwide license to operate data, voice and value added service anywhere in the Philippines. Today after over 90 years of operation, the company offers fiber internet connection with an integration of wide area data networks with local components. (routers, switches, structured cabling CCTV and WiFi access points). The company focuses more on corporations and big businesses rather than residential, so if this applies to you then this may be the company for you. They are reliable and has a wide array of partners and well-known customers (they operate and manage the free WiFi service in all SM Supermalls). Philcom’s customers can choose from either: (a) Ultra high speed and highly reliable fiber connection using GPON (speeds up to 2.5 Gbps), Layer 1 or Layer 2 technologies (speeds of up to 100 Gbps), (b) Internet Direct Access with multiple redundancy connections via wholly owned fiber connections with Tier 1 Telco backup connections, (c) Dedicated point-to-point or point-to-multipoint VPN connections. A full summary of their products and services:

While we continue to cope with the demands of the new normal, new technologies are also continuing to be developed each day, thus, we must remain on the look-out for new budding companies making their way through the internet-provider industry. Like with DITO telecommunity, a new company which may hopefully start offering their broadband services in 2022, or maybe a new player which could provide better internet services for Filipinos not only in Metro Manila, but the whole country. For the meantime while we wait for further advancements, let’s do our best to make use of the ones being readily offered to us now and pinpoint the ones befitting our internet usage requirement.