Converge tops broadband speed in 2023

MANILA, Philippines — Broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. snapped the five-year streak of PLDT Inc. as the operator to beat in the Philippines as it claimed the top spot in 2023 for turning in the fastest internet speed.

Based on Ookla’s assessment, Converge outpaced its broadband competitors in the speed contest last year.

This also marks the first time that Converge bested the broadband race since making its entry in 2012, harvesting the gains of investing purely on fiber assets.

Converge landed a speed score of 123.18 from Ookla during the second semester of 2023. PLDT ranked second with 119.98, while Globe Telecom Inc. was third with 88.5.

Ookla awarded Converge the highest rating for posting the top download speed of 457.56 Mbps and the best upload speed of 448.15 Mbps. Likewise, Ookla recognized Converge as the provider to beat in terms of gaming quality and video experience.

Converge clocked in a game score of 88.27, ahead of PLDT’s 85.84 and Globe’s 83.87, and also obtained a video score of 86.58 to Globe’s 83.25 and PLDT’s 77.24.

In spite of this, Converge chief operations officer Jesus Romero said the company has work to do in ensuring connectivity products remain affordable, accessible and reliable.

Romero said Converge there is a need for the company to widen its reach especially in remote locations.

As such, Romero announced that Converge would launch its internet services in Zamboanga in line with the strategy to connect cities and municipalities in Mindanao. He also said Converge would enter Palawan and Samar within the year, expanding its market in Luzon and Visayas.

Meanwhile, Converge chief network transformation officer Paulo Martin Santos said the company would keep on building up its infrastructure base for redundancy. He said investing in redundancies minimizes latency and reduces downtimes to the benefit of subscribers.

Romero said Converge can retain its title as the broadband leader in the Philippines by fortifying its fiber backbone and coming up with fresh products.

Based on latest data, Converge handles a fiber network of 8.79 million ports serving 2.09 million customers, leaving it with about seven million lines that can be devoted to new subscribers.