The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has announced show-cause orders against Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, and DITO Telecommunity carrying a PHP 100,000 daily penalty over poor mobile broadband service in parts of Metro Manila.
Local media reported the enforcement action Saturday, citing a statement from the regulator. The penalties reportedly took effect September 25 and will continue until the identified service deficiencies are resolved.
The NTC said its September 2026 speed-test revalidation found no improvement in the three operators’ mobile internet performance compared with validation conducted during the first and second quarters of the year.
Previously identified poor mobile broadband signals remained substantially unchanged despite the operators having an opportunity to make urgent corrective measures, according to the regulator.
DITO was flagged in San Juan, Pasay, and Las Piñas, while Smart was flagged in Parañaque, Manila, and Pasig. Globe, on the other hand, was flagged in Makati and Quezon City.
The commission said it will retest the affected locations every two weeks to check whether the operators have made the required network improvements. Monitoring will also continue in other parts of the National Capital Region.
The enforcement action cites Section 17(a) of the Public Service Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 11659. The provision gives the relevant regulator authority to investigate public services, require adequate service, and enforce compliance with its standards, rules, regulations, and orders.
Section 21 of the same law allows the regulator, after due notice and hearing, to impose penalties ranging from PHP 5,000 to PHP 2 million per day for continuing violations when no specific penalty under another applicable law governs the offense.
The three telcos have not released public statements on the penalties.