10 Best Internet Service Providers (and Plans) in the Philippines (2024)

Last Updated on – Nov 5, 2023 @ 2:09 pm

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In today’s hyper-connected world, one of the biggest annoyances you can have is a crappy internet connection.

Imagine doing a Skype meeting with potential clients when all of a sudden you’re staring at a “Connection Lost” pop-up. Yikes.

So much for landing that deal.

The Internet has made its way so deep into our lives that it’s practically a necessity. From doing cashless payments to researching online for your next business idea, a reliable and speedy internet connection is essential.

Ookla, the company behind the popular internet speed testing service Speedtest, shows that our average fixed broadband and mobile speeds as of September 2023 sit at 83.09 Mbps and 26.36 Mbps respectively.

While recent speed averages show significant improvements, checking the global averages show that our average fixed broadband speed is almost at the global median of 85.31 Mbps (Sept 2023).

Why Internet in the Philippines is slow & expensive

Our country is made up of 7,100 islands, which makes construction of fixed networks harder to accomplish.

This slow development in the addition of new ICT infrastructures (cell towers, fiber optic cables, etc) is what is believed to be the main reason for the poor internet connection.

It should be noted as well that governments from other countries actively invest in the construction of these much-needed infrastructures, while here in our country the task rests mainly on the shoulders of the private sector.

Even neighboring countries like Vietnam receive crucial ICT investments from their government that’s why they enjoy better internet speeds.

Reports of a third major telco player have been buzzing around in the last few months, though nothing has been confirmed yet as of this time.

We can only cross our fingers for now that this new player brings us the much needed boost and improvement so that everyone can enjoy affordable, fast and reliable internet services.

Top Internet Service Providers in the Philippines

Let’s take a closer look at the current popular players and their service offerings.

1. Converge ICT Solutions

One of the fastest-growing ISPs, Converge has established itself as an excellent option when it comes to high-speed internet.

They offer a wide selection of plans that starts at only Php1,500 monthly for speeds of up tp 100Mbps.

Best Internet Broadband Plans from Converge:

Requirements:

• 1 Valid ID: (Any Government-issued ID or Company ID)
• Proof of Residency/Proof of Billing
• Proof of income (most recent ITR, COE, Credit Card Statement, or Bank Statement)

Fees and Charges:

• Installation Fee of PHP 2,500

Pros:

• Pure end-to-end fiber-optic connectivity for the price of a postpaid DSL connection
• Highest ranking among ISPs in the Philippines in terms of Netflix performance
• Provides the best value for money with the Fiber X 1500 plan (100Mbps for Php 1,500 monthly)
• No monthly data cap for all plans
• Fully online application process through the Converge Self-Serve Portal

Cons:

• Limited coverage areas—mostly available only in Metro Manila and nearby provinces (Cavite, Pampanga, Rizal, etc.)
• Difficulty of reaching a customer service representative through the Converge hotline
• 24-month lock-in period
• No landline, device, cable service, or any freebie bundled with the internet plan

2. One SKY

Being the country’s top and longest operating cable TV provider allowed the company to expand its reach to internet services.

They bundled up their cable offerings with broadband services and came up with packages that provide plenty of value to their subscribers.

Best Internet Broadband Plans from SKY:

Requirements:

• Complete and submit the application form on their website

Fees and Charges:

• SKY Lite Plans Initial Cash Out = P1,799
• Premium Plans Initial Cash Out = P1,000 (for broadband only) and P2,000 (for broadband + HD Cable TV).
• Streaming Plans:
  • VivaMax = P149/month
  • Viu = P99/month
  • HBO GO = P99/month

Pros:

• Cheapest unlimited fiber plan at Php 999/month for 20Mbps
• Some unlimited broadband plans bundled with either SKY Evo (for HD cable TV) or TP-Link WiFi Mesh (for Home Wi-Fi)
• SKY Fiber Unli Broadband Plans bundled with HD TV service also have free access to local TV channels, iWant streaming, as well as add-on plans for VivaMax, Viu, and HBO GO.
• No monthly data cap for all fiber plans
• Very active customer support (via Twitter @SkyServes)

Cons:

• Uses a combination of fiber optics and coaxial cable to provide fiber-powered internet (instead of pure fiber optics)
• Limited coverage areas—mostly available only in Metro Manila, some parts of Luzon (Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, etc.), and a few provinces in the south (Cebu, Davao, etc.)

3. PLDT

The telco giant has been around for decades.

From dial-up connections to DSL, they are pioneers when it comes to providing internet services in the Philippines.

Best Internet Broadband & Fiber Plans from PLDT:

Requirements:

• 1 valid government-issued ID
• Complete and submit the application form on their website

Fees and Charges:

• Modem and Installation fee varies across plans (please check PLDT’s website for updated values)

Pros:

• Wide coverage areas nationwide
• Speedtest Awards winner for fixed network speed in the Philippines
• Unli Fibr plans bundled with free landline
• Fiber Plus plans bundled with Lionsgate Play, landline phone, and Whole Home WiFi (three TP-Link mesh devices for stable internet speeds and no dead spots)
• No monthly data cap for all plans

Cons:

• Most expensive rates for plans with speeds of 50Mbps and 100Mbps
• Slow technical service—takes around one week to fix connectivity issues

4. Smart Bro Home Wifi

Smart Communications, Inc., the leader and pioneer of 5G in the Philippines, is set on bringing wireless fiber-like speeds to the homes of Filipinos.

This is made possible through the Smart Bro Home WiFi 5G.

This service is awesome for families and households that use multiple gadgets simultaneously. It is also easy to plug and use, and there’s no need to wait for installation because you can set it up yourself.

It is worth noting that Smart nabbed the first place in the fastest mobile and fixed broadband internet speed test conducted by Speedtest Intelligence.

SMART Bro Home WiFi (Prepaid) Plans:

Your account can be managed real-time on the GigaLife app. Famload Video, Famload Video Plus, GIGA, and GIGA Pro promos are available here.

Smart Bro is also bringing back Double Data to provide twice the data allocation on FamLoad and Giga offers to cover activities related to entertainment, school, or work.

Fees:

• P995 for device (can connect up to 5 devices, with free 10 GB data valid for 7 days)
• P1,995 for Prepaid Home WiFi Advanced (up to 10 devices, with free 10 GB data for 7 days, and 2x faster LTE than other SMART Bro Home WiFi devices)
• P15,995 for Home WiFi 5G (WiFi 6 technology, up to 10 devices, and with free 20 GB data for 7 days)

Pros:

• Great for videos
• Fast download speed

Cons:

• Dependent on smart signal
• Will get deactivated after 180 days of zero promo subscription or load

5. DITO Telecommunity

The Philippines now has a third major telco player. DITO Telecommunity has been launched in several areas in the country, receiving rave reviews for its internet speed and reliability.

Best Internet Plans From Dito

Requirements:

• Accomplished application form
• Valid ID

Fees and charges:

• Starter Kit P12,990 (comes with 50 GB of all access data and 3 months of free subscription to HBO Go)

Pros:

• No maximum limit for number of devices that can be connected
• Minimum download speed of 10Mbps at 80% reliability

Cons:

• Available only in key areas in the country
• Has a data cap

6. Globe Broadband

The Ayala-owned communications company is Smart’s (under PLDT) long-time rival and the competition continues in the land of broadband internet.

Best Internet Broadband Plans from Globe:

Requirements:

• Complete and submit the application form on their website

Fees and Charges:

• For UNLI Broadband plans, a fee of P2,500 (DSL) or P4,500 (VDSL/FIBER) needs to be paid during installation

Pros:

• Wide fiber availability nationwide
• All Unli plans, except for Flex Plan 899, come with freebies:
  • Free landline with unli call to Globe and TM subscribers
  • 3 month free access to Viu Premium, HBO Go, Prime Video, and Discovery+
  • 3 month free access to KonsultaMD
• Offers a plan with the fastest speed of up to 1Gbps for Php 7,499
• Cheapest and bang-for-the-buck deals for plans with a speed of 150Mbps and up
• Offers a no lock-up option for UNLI Plans 2499 and 3499 with a three-month trial period (but with a one-time modem fee of Php 4,500)
• Promptly action to restore internet connection

Cons:

• Most expensive rates for plans with a speed of 50Mbps or lower
• 24-month lock-in period for most plans
• Requires proof of income for Unli Plans2499 and above

7. Red Fiber

Powered by MERALCO’s Radius Telecoms in partnership with Cignal TV, Red Fiber offers tons of versatile plans for consumers that range from 10 Mbps to 400 Mbps.

Although it faces high-speed internet giants in the Philippines, Red Fiber remains hopeful that it can serve a huge chunk of Filipino households.

Currently, it is only available in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces, as well as Cebu. It is expanding to Iloilo and Bacolod soon.

The lock-in period for Broadband and TV plans is 24 months. Meanwhile, the upgrades/add-ons only have a minimum lock-in of 1 month.

Internet Plans from Red Fiber

Internet- Only plans

Not sure if you want to commit to their internet plans? Try the Red 90-Day Guarantee where you can subscribe to the Internet Only or Dual Play Plans 100 MBPS and below without any commitment for 90 Days.

Requirements

• Accomplished RED Fiber Subscriber Application Form (SAF)
• At least 1 valid government-issued ID
• At least 1 valid proof of billing

Fees:

• P3,000 installation fee

Pros

• Consistent speed
• 24/7 customer support
• Complete entertainment package

Cons

• Only available in limited areas

8. Starlink

Unlike other internet providers in the country which work through optical fibers or cables, Starlink is a satellite internet service provider which sends data through radio signals sent through space.

Because there’s no need to install wires, Starlink can bring high-speed internet even to poorly connected areas.

It is made possible by the network of satellites launched by SpaceX which experience a high latency. This refers to the time it takes to send data from one point to another.

Starlink satellites are launched 60 times closer to Earth, which makes way for a high-speed and low-latency internet experience.

Currently, there are 1,200 satellites in operation which contribute to creating a network of high-speed internet. In the coming years, Starlink is expected to increase this number to 40,000.

Connection speed

Starlink can provide download speeds of up to 200Mbps in the Philippines.

As the number of satellites increases, the connection speed is also expected to improve.

It is important to note that Elon Musk of SpaceX mentioned that cellular will always have an advantage in highly-populated urban areas. Satellites are best used for low to medium population density areas.

Price

Starlink’s monthly rate is P2,700, without a contract. The hardware fee is P29,320.

Pros

• Can provide internet to “unreachable” areas
• Easy to install
• Stable internet even after disasters
• Reliable internet speed

Cons

• Expensive starting kit and monthly rate
• Not as portable as cellular internet
• Slow internet in high-density cities
• Service disruption may happen during rains or storms

How to apply:

Visit the Starlink Map portal, input your address, and place your order.

9. RISE

RISE stands for Responsible Internet Sustainability Effort, a newcomer ISP that focuses on bringing fiber internet to enterprises.

They promise “Uncongested, full speed, fiber internet for your business”.

Best Internet Broadband Plans from RISE:

Requirements:

• Complete and submit the application form on their website

Fees and Charges:

• Contact RISE for Additional Info

10. Streamtech

Streamtech is one of the Philippines’ newest internet service providers (ISPs). This upstart company prides itself on its unlimited high-speed internet plans, cable TV services through Planet Cable, and the cable TV and internet package deals.

Streamtech is powered by its own fiber-optic backbone link, which they state is a key factor in its ability to provide consistently fast speeds at an affordable price point.

The company offers internet plans for both residential and business customers in selected areas in the country, with the eventual goal of operating nationwide.

Internet Plans from Streamtech:

They also offer plans for SMEs and enterprise-level companies:

Requirements:

• For Residential Customers
  • 1 valid ID
  • 1 recent proof of billing, such as a water or electricity bill.
• For Businesses (sole proprietor)
  • Business permit – either from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or from your city mayor’s office
  • Signed proposal
• For Corporations
  • Any one of the following 3 documents from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC):
    • General information sheet
    • SEC registration
    • SEC certificate
  • Signed proposal

Serviceable Areas:

Streamtech presently offers its services to a limited number of areas in Luzon, with a small presence in Western Visayas.

As it expands, we expect the company to expand into more and more cities across the Philippines.

The following Luzon provinces are currently serviced by Streamtech:

• Ilocos Norte
• Bulacan
• Nueva Ecija
• Pampanga
• Bataan
• Cavite
• Laguna
• Batangas
• Rizal
• Quezon
• Camarines Sur
• Las Piñas
• Muntinlupa
• Taguig

Only two Western Visayas provinces are currently supported by Streamtech: Guimaras and Iloilo.

Pros

If you are a long-time customer of one of the few established ISPs in the country, you may be itching for something new, which Streamtech clearly is.

But because Streamtech is a new entrant to the ISP market, there is no real track record of their service or products—making it difficult to state definitively what the company’s pros are, if any.

• Streamtech may be a better fit right now for those on a budget, as they offer a fiber internet plan for just 1,499 a month, with speeds of 25Mbps. This is cheaper than PLDT’s cheapest offering, which is 1,699 a month, though PLDT offers speeds of 35Mbps to make up for the price disparity.
• Streamtech might also be a better value proposition to customers who also need cable TV services with their internet connection, which the company offers in value-added bundles.

Cons

While Streamtech markets itself heavily as an up-and-coming ISP, none of their current offerings fares well when stacked against what more established ISPs can offer at every price point.

For instance, though Streamtech’s 1499 plan (25Mbps) compares favorably with PLDT’s cheapest plan, it lags behind Globe’s identically-priced plan, which offers speeds of up to 35Mbps—which is also what Converge offers with their FiberX1500 plan.

The disparity becomes starker the higher up you go in price.

The most expensive plan on Streamtech’s roster is PHP3,499 a month, with speeds of up to 150Mbps.

For just PHP300 more per month, you can get speeds of 200MBps with PLDT. Or you can just pay essentially the same price—technically one peso more per month—with Converge or Globe and still reach speeds of 200Mbps.

Types of Broadband Plans in the Philippines

Knowing how much data you will likely consume every month will help you decide which type of package to choose.

Capped Data Allowance

The data allotment of this type of internet plan is limited. However, this plan is usually cheaper compared to those with unlimited data and often comes with a wireless connection. Most prepaid Wi-Fi connections have capped data allowance, but there are also postpaid broadband plans that are capped. For example, you can choose a postpaid plan that will give you 150GB at 10Mbps per month.

Unlimited Data Allowance

Compared to broadband plans with capped data allowances, those that offer unlimited data often cost more. Unlimited plans can be wired or fiber connections, though mobile packages are wireless.

Also check out:

• 6 Best Pocket WiFi Devices in the Philippines
• Best Postpaid Phone Plans in the Philippines

DSL vs. Fiber

One of the best developments we’ve been experiencing in recent years is the continuous spread and adaptation of Fiber internet connection.

And while it’s a given that it’s vastly superior over DSL, the main thing that hinders it from reaching more homes is—you guessed it—availability.

As mentioned earlier, the infrastructure needs to be laid down first so new connections can be made on a specific area.

That’s the reason why those sign-up pages on Telco sites always require you to enter your exact location first, they need to confirm if they already have existing fiber infrastructure near your place.

In terms of speed, DSL only reaches up to 15Mbps. Fiber, on the other hand, is 100x faster and speeds can go as fast as 500Mbps.

Mobile Data vs. Home Broadband

Home broadband is a type of internet connection that can be transmitted via fiber optics, wireless, cable, DSL, and satellite. Mobile data, on the other hand, uses your phone’s 3G, 4G, or 5G network to connect to the internet.

With home broadband, a modem or router provides broadband internet connection over the phone line, through a cable (DSL) or a fiber-optic cable. These days, internet service providers also offer LTE routers as an alternative.

You can have high-speed home internet through these LTE routers without having to use mobile data. Portable Wi-Fi routers that have an LTE connection are also used. They allow multiple devices to access the internet at the same time.

On the other hand, mobile data is the data allowance on your SIM card. This can be either prepaid or postpaid. A router is not needed because the SIM card allows your mobile phone or other internet-enabled devices, such as a tablet, to access the internet.

Your internet-enabled device can also be used as a hotspot, which is similar to a Wi-Fi router.

What is MBPS?

These days, there are many internet plans that are being offered, and it can be overwhelming having to choose one that best suits your needs.

However, knowing some internet connection basics will definitely help lessen the confusion. First, you need to understand how bandwidth is different from internet speed.

In the Philippines, most internet providers market their internet plans according to Mbps. Some people do not really understand what Mbps is, so they have false expectations when they subscribe to an internet plan.

Internet speed is how fast data can be uploaded or downloaded.

On the other hand, bandwidth is how much data can be uploaded or downloaded. 1 Megabit/s is equal to 0.125 Gigabytes per second. For example, if the internet speed is 10Mbps, a 1GB file can be downloaded in 13.3 minutes.

Basically, when internet providers advertise 10Mbps, they mean that the internet connection’s combined speed and bandwidth are 10Mbps or 10 megabits of data per second. Therefore, a high Mbps means more information can be transferred at a faster rate.

However, you might have seen the phrase “up to [X] Mbps” in the fine print of some internet provider’s ad. “Up to” refers to the internet connection’s maximum capacity in favorable conditions, so this is not a guarantee that you will have the same internet speed at all times.

To give you an idea of how much Mbps is needed for certain tasks, here is a table based on the ^[1]stats provided by Boingo, the internet provider of the LAX.

How Data Allocation Works

Everything done on the internet requires data. This means that if you get a 5GB data allocation or data allowance per month, you can upload or download 5 gigabytes of information in a month.

You can make a rough estimate of the data allowance you will likely need in a month by identifying the online activities that you do. Here are a few common ^[2]activities online and the estimated amount of data used in each activity:

How to Choose the Best Internet Service Provider (and Plan) in the Philippines

There are factors you need to consider when choosing an internet service provider. We have listed them down to help you decide.

1. What You Will Use The Internet Connection For

Do you need an internet connection for your job? Are you planning to do business online? Is it for your child’s online classes?

If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then you need a reliable internet connection. You will have to choose an internet service provider with a solid track record of reliable performance.

Choose the plan that will provide you a good balance of price and performance.

2. How Many Internet-Enabled Devices Will Connect To The Internet At The Same Time

Needless to say, the more devices that are used to access the internet, the more that your internet speed will decrease.

If you know how many users and devices will connect to the internet, then you will know how much data allowance you will need and what internet speed will likely give you a better internet experience.

3. Which Internet Plan Has The Best Value For Money

At the outset, you need to decide how much you are willing to spend on your internet connection. This will help narrow down your options.

Different internet service providers (ISP) in the Philippines have plenty of offerings but not all of these offers suit every budget.

Once you have identified your budget, take a look at what different ISPs offer at that price range. Some might have added benefits that others do not offer.

4. The Coverage

Unfortunately, there are still areas in the country that are out of reach of certain internet service providers (ISP).

Even though a particular ISP might have the best offering, if it is not available in your area, then you still cannot get their service.

5. The Internet Speed

Not all internet service providers (ISP) are the same. There are those that shine in specific areas.

However, speed is definitely one of the top things you need to consider when choosing an internet plan, especially if you do a lot of streaming and play online games. Higher speeds will cost you, though.

Related: Best VPNs in the Philippines

6. The Best Promos

You should keep your eyes peeled for promos. Every once in a while, different internet service providers (ISP) in the country announce special offers.

These offers can be your chance to try a different internet plan from your ISP or switch to another ISP altogether.

If you have more questions, feel free to comment below.

Also see: Best Prepaid Phone Plans in the Philippines

Internet Plans in the Philippines FAQs

Still got questions about internet service providers in the Philippines? Keep on reading.

How can I measure the speed of my internet connection?

The fastest and easiest way you can do this is by running a test on https://www.speedtest.net/.

Can I get internet without a long-term contract in the Philippines?

Most internet providers in the Philippines have a 24-month lock-in commitment.

If you prefer no commitment for your internet, Globe has a no lock-up option for UNLI Plans 2499 and 3499. These plans have a three-month trial period. You also need to shell out P4,500 for the modem.

What should I look for when comparing internet plans?

Aside from price and features, you should also consider its reliability, customer service, and coverage in your location.

Are there any additional fees associated with internet plans?

Aside from monthly subscriptions, internet providers in the Philippines may charge an additional fee for the modem and installation.

Always make sure to ask your provider about this.

What’s the difference between broadband and fiber internet?

Normal broadband uses copper circuits. Fiber-based internet, on the other hand, has higher speeds and is capable of delivering more data. It uses fiber optic cables, which can transmit more data.