Philippines internet guide

Mobile network operators

The Philippines has two dominant mobile operators, both with duopoly-level control:

Globe Telecom: one of the two major players. Good coverage in Metro Manila, Cebu, and major cities ^[1].
Smart Communications (PLDT): the other major player. Slightly better nationwide coverage, especially in provincial areas ^[2].
Dito Telecommunity: the third operator (launched 2021). Expanding coverage but still limited outside major cities. Aggressive pricing to gain market share. Coverage has improved but is not yet competitive with Globe/Smart in rural areas.

Tourist SIM (prepaid): available at NAIA and other international airports. 7-30 days data for 300-1,000 PHP. Passport required.
Standard prepaid SIM: available at operator stores, convenience stores, and sari-sari stores (neighbourhood shops). Register all SIMs under the SIM Registration Act (RA 11934). Passport required for foreigners. Data packages from 50 PHP/day (1 GB) to 999 PHP/month (25 GB).
Postpaid SIM: requires passport + valid long-stay visa (SRRV, 13(a), 9(g)) + proof of address + credit check. Monthly plans from 600-2,500 PHP for 10-50 GB.
eSIM: supported by Globe and Smart for prepaid and postpaid. Online purchase for tourist eSIM before arrival.
SIM registration: mandatory under the SIM Registration Act (2023). Register all SIMs with a government-issued ID. Foreigners register with passport.

PLDT Home Fibr: the largest fixed broadband provider. Fibre 50 Mbps-1 Gbps for 1,500-3,500 PHP/month. Widest coverage ^[3].
Converge ICT: the fastest-growing fibre provider. 50-1,000 Mbps for 1,500-2,500 PHP/month. Generally faster than PLDT in areas where it's available. Limited outside major cities ^[4].
Globe At Home: fibre 50-500 Mbps for 1,500-3,000 PHP/month. Good in Metro Manila and Cebu.
Sky Fiber: cable broadband (ABS-CBN). 25-100 Mbps for 1,000-2,000 PHP/month. Available in selected areas of Metro Manila and provinces.

Installation: 3-14 working days on average. Fibre availability concentrates in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, and major provincial cities.

4G/LTE: good in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, major towns. Poor to none in remote barangays and mountainous areas.
5G: available in parts of Metro Manila (Makati, BGC, Pasig), Cebu City, and Davao City. Coverage remains limited. Globe and Smart both offer 5G prepaid and postpaid.
Speed test averages (2026): mobile download 10-30 Mbps (4G LTE) in cities, 2-10 Mbps in rural areas. Fibre: 50-400 Mbps depending on provider.
International bandwidth: the Philippines has multiple submarine cables (Asia Direct Cable, SEA-ME-WE 5, Luzon Bypass Infrastructure). Speed is generally adequate but may get congested during peak hours.

Prepaid mobile: 50-100 PHP/day (1-5 GB) or 500-1,000 PHP/month (10-25 GB). Filipino users buy daily/weekly promos; this daily/weekly culture differs from the monthly subscriptions common in the West.
Postpaid mobile: 600-2,500 PHP/month for 10-50 GB + voice. Device bundle plans available (phone + plan).
Broadband: 1,500-3,500 PHP/month for 50-500 Mbps.
Coffee shop WiFi: common in cafes in Manila and Cebu. Speeds 2-10 Mbps.

Cable maintenance: both PLDT and Globe experience periodic service interruptions during typhoon season (June-November). Fibre cuts are common after storms. Get a 4G backup hotspot.
Top-up (prepaid): via GCash, Maya, or load retailers nationwide. "Load" (top-up) cards are sold everywhere: sari-sari stores, 7-Eleven, gas stations.
Unlimited data: "unlimited" plans typically throttle after a daily high-speed cap (800 MB-1.5 GB).
VPN: the Philippines does not block internet content. No significant censorship as of 2026. VPNs are legal and commonly used by expats for banking and streaming.
Dual SIM: common. Many use Globe for voice + Smart for data, or vice versa.
Dito telecommunity: worth considering for data-only. Competitive prices, but verify coverage before committing.

Public WiFi: available at major shopping centres (SM Mall, Ayala Malls), NAIA terminals, and some MRT/LRT stations. Free but sometimes requires registration.
Free wifi.ph program: a government program providing free WiFi in public spaces (plazas, parks, libraries). Coverage expanding but still limited.
WiFi calling: supported by Globe and Smart.

This page is indicative. Confirm current packages directly with the operator.