Rise in Net use in country noted | Inquirer News

Rise in Net use in country noted

/ 03:39 PM September 27, 2011

Manila — Internet use in the country has been rising since the start of the year, driven by the ever-increasing affordability of smartphones and data usage rates, leading carrier Smart Communications Inc. reported.

In a statement over the weekend, Smart said the amount of data transmitted on its mobile broadband network has grown on the back of the sixfold increase in the use of its Smart Bro dongles since February and the continuing rise in the number of smartphones connected to its network.

The company said this indicates a shift in the habits of the average Filipino cell phone user.

Article continues after this advertisement

“In just six months we have recorded a tremendous increase in data consumption as evidenced by the spikes in usage,” said Smart chief wireless advisor Orlando B. Vea. “If there are still doubts on where the industry is headed, this should put an end to all speculation”

FEATURED STORIES

Blackberry devices continue to account for the majority of smartphones with a 44 percent share.

Devices running on Google’s Android operating system have a 27 percent share but growing at an average of 20 percent a month.

Article continues after this advertisement

Meanwhile, Smart Bro enjoyed significant growth as usage increased 576 percent from February to August.

Article continues after this advertisement

Despite this, however, Smart said the maximum speed for the Smart Bro Plug It had been increased while the quality of Internet service had improved.

Article continues after this advertisement

Speed tests conducted by independent engineering Nesic firm showed that Smart Bro bests the competition by as much as 2.29 megabytes per second.

Smart’s parent firm Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) is currently undergoing a P67-billion expansion of its network as the group prepares for the exponential growth of data and Internet use in the country.

Article continues after this advertisement

The measures include, among others, the installation of additional fiber-optic cables, which connect wireless services to base stations, base stations to the core network, and the core network to international gateways.

“Like the fiber that we eat, fiber optic cables are good for the health of the PLDT network,” the company said.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

By the end of 2011, the group plans to have over 56,000 kilometers of fiber cables installed nationwide./INQUIRER

TAGS: Internet

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.