Internet reliability is one of the first things expats ask about — and for good reason. Connectivity in the Philippines has improved dramatically in recent years, but it’s still far from the seamless experience you’d get in Singapore or South Korea. Here’s how to navigate it.
The State of Internet in the Philippines (2025)
The Philippines historically ranked near the bottom of Southeast Asia for internet speeds. That’s changed substantially with the rollout of fiber broadband since 2021 and the entry of DITO Telecommunity as a third major carrier. Metro Manila, Cebu City, and Davao now have genuinely good fiber connectivity in most urban residential areas — 100–300 Mbps plans are widely available and usually deliver close to advertised speeds. Outside major cities, connectivity can be patchy, particularly on islands and in provincial areas.
Home Internet: Your Main Options
PLDT Home (including Fibr)
PLDT is the largest telco in the Philippines and has the widest fiber network footprint. Their Fibr plans are the most widely available fiber option in Metro Manila and other cities. Speeds range from 25 Mbps to 1 Gbps depending on plan and availability in your building.
Plans: ₱1,299–4,499/month for fiber (25–300 Mbps). Installation typically takes 1–3 weeks.
Reputation: Historically notorious for slow customer service and inconsistent speeds. Has improved but remains the most complained-about provider. The key variable is which node you’re connected to — some areas get consistent speeds, others don’t.
Globe At Home (Fiber)
Globe is the second-largest telco and widely considered to have better customer service than PLDT. Their fiber network covers most of Metro Manila and major cities. Speeds are competitive with PLDT at similar price points.
Plans: ₱1,299–3,499/month (50–300 Mbps). Installation takes 1–3 weeks.
Reputation: Generally better customer service experience than PLDT. Many expats prefer Globe specifically for faster resolution when issues arise. App-based support is functional.
Converge ICT
Converge is a fiber-only provider that has rapidly expanded across Luzon and parts of Visayas and Mindanao. They’re consistently rated as the best-value option in areas where they’re available — more reliable speeds and fewer complaints than PLDT or Globe in their coverage zones.
Plans: ₱1,500–4,000/month (25–300 Mbps). Check availability first — they’re not in every building.
Recommendation: If Converge is available in your area, choose them. Strong track record in 2024–2025.
DITO Telecommunity
DITO launched as a third mobile carrier in 2021 and has been rolling out home broadband in selected areas. Still limited availability but competitive where present. Worth checking if the other three options aren’t satisfying you.
Mobile Data: SIM Cards and Plans
Globe vs Smart
Globe and Smart (Smart Communications, a PLDT subsidiary) are the two dominant mobile carriers. Both have extensive 4G/LTE coverage in urban areas and growing 5G networks in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao. In practice, coverage quality in your specific location is the deciding factor — ask your neighbors which carrier has stronger signal.
Postpaid plans (monthly): ₱499–1,999/month for unlimited data plans. SIM-only plans start at ₱499 with unlimited browsing + data caps on speed after a set amount of high-speed data.
Prepaid (load): Both carriers have excellent prepaid options. For short-stay or backup use, load in ₱50–300 increments via convenience stores or GCash. Globe’s “Go Unli” and Smart’s equivalent prepaid promos offer unlimited data for 7–30 days at ₱99–350.
Tourist SIM on Arrival
Both Globe and Smart have SIM kiosks inside NAIA arrivals halls. A tourist SIM with 7–15 days of data costs ₱100–300 and is worth buying immediately on landing — you’ll need it for Grab and navigation.
DITO Mobile
DITO offers competitive rates and strong urban coverage in Manila, Cebu, and Davao. Worth considering if you’re dissatisfied with Globe or Smart.
Coworking Spaces as a Connectivity Backup
If your home internet is unstable (common during typhoon season or in buildings with poor cabling), coworking spaces are the expat lifeline. Major coworking chains in Manila — KMC Solutions, Regus, WeWork, Clock In — have gigabit fiber connections and reliable backup power. A hot-desk membership at a quality coworking space (₱5,000–15,000/month) effectively solves the connectivity problem for remote workers.
Tips for Better Connectivity
- Check what’s in the building before you rent. Some condos have exclusive deals with one provider and won’t let others install. Always ask your landlord which ISPs serve the building before signing a lease.
- Get a mesh router for larger apartments. Standard ISP routers don’t cover large units or multi-room apartments well. A TP-Link Deco or similar mesh system fixes dead spots instantly.
- Have a mobile data backup. Even with fiber, outages happen. A postpaid plan with a good data allocation — or a pocket WiFi — keeps you connected when the home line goes down.
- Apply for internet the day you sign your lease. Installation queues run 1–3 weeks. Don’t wait until move-in day.
- Typhoon season (June–November): Fiber lines can be disrupted during severe weather. This is when mobile data backup is most valuable.