Smart logs zero dropped calls in NTC Metro Manila drive tests

Smart Communications recorded zero dropped calls in the latest quality-of-service drive tests conducted by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in Metro Manila, posting an average call drop ratio of zero percent against the regulator’s prescribed threshold of below 2 percent.

The same tests logged peak mobile broadband speeds of 377 Mbps along San Francisco Street in Mandaluyong City. Smart said it will keep working with the regulator to address the specific areas of concern raised in the tests while it continues to strengthen network quality and improve the overall customer experience.

What the NTC drive tests measured

The NTC runs these drive tests on commercial 5G-capable smartphones using field measurement tools, with readings taken under actual conditions on Metro Manila routes instead of a controlled setup. Call drop ratio measures the share of ongoing calls that get cut off before either party hangs up. Smart’s zero percent result sits inside the NTC’s ceiling of below 2 percent.

Smart’s zero dropped calls, and the rest of the report card

Smart also pointed to the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) September 2026 Oplan Bantay Signal report, which is a separate assessment of mobile network performance. In that report, Smart kept its “Good” overall network performance rating with an overall score of 80.3 and an average download speed of 52.22 Mbps. The company said it also posted zero crisis cities nationwide for the fifth consecutive month, with every measured city exceeding 15 Mbps.

Separately, Ookla recognized Smart for the Philippines’ Best Mobile Video Experience for the first half of 2026, with a Video Score of 72.82. It is the second straight year the network has taken the award, which weighs acceptable video start times, uninterrupted playback, and full HD resolution in the majority of sessions.

What the NTC also flagged

The round was not a clean sheet for the industry. The NTC said 29 of 142 mobile broadband test campaigns fell short of prescribed standards, and directed the country’s mobile operators to address the deficiencies immediately. The regulator warned that fresh show cause orders will follow if more areas miss the mark in tests scheduled in the coming days.

“Our zero-percent call drop ratio in the latest NTC tests is a positive result for voice-call reliability,” said Debbie Hu, FVP and Head of Network Build and Implementation at PLDT and Smart. “We remain committed to working closely with the NTC to assess network performance, address areas for improvement, and deliver a more dependable mobile experience for our customers.”