As of September 27, 2026: The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) reportedly prepared show cause orders against DITO Telecommunity, Globe Telecom and Smart Communications after a September revalidation found continuing mobile broadband deficiencies in parts of Metro Manila. The reported penalty is ₱100,000 per day from September 25 until identified deficiencies are corrected. A show cause order begins an enforcement process; it does not establish that a final fine has been paid.
What it means for you: the fine, if finally imposed after hearing, goes to the government, not to subscribers. If your own service in these areas is poor, your remedy is a documented complaint to your telco and then to the NTC (steps below).
We checked the text of the amended Public Service Act (RA 11659) and cite the NTC’s mobile broadband measurement circular. We could not find a publicly accessible copy of the September 2026 NTC statement, speed-test dataset or individual show cause orders. The case-specific facts are attributed to the NTC statement as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Where did NTC identify poor service?
The reported September mobile speed test revalidation identified Manila, Makati and Quezon City for Globe; San Juan, Pasay and Las Piñas for DITO; and Parañaque, Manila and Pasig for Smart. These are operator-specific areas of concern, not a finding that every customer across each city lacks signal. The agency reportedly plans repeat monitoring every two weeks. Location-level test results and the operators’ responses have not been independently verified for this report.
What is the source of the ₱100,000 daily penalty?
Section 21 of the Public Service Act, amended by RA 11659, authorizes administrative fines of not lower than ₱5,000 but not exceeding ₱2 million per day for a continuing violation of a certificate, order, decision or regulation in the stated circumstances. It expressly requires due notice and hearing before a fine is imposed. Section 17(a) empowers the regulator to investigate, require adequate service and enforce applicable standards. The ₱100,000 figure is the amount reported for this action, not a blanket fine for each slow connection.
The final amount, dates of accrual and outcome depend on the show cause orders and subsequent proceedings. Section 21 provides that fines are paid to the government. The reported penalty does not automatically entitle each subscriber to ₱100,000 or prove an individual refund claim.
How does NTC assess mobile broadband?
NTC Memorandum Circular No. 10-12-2016 sets measurement rules for mobile broadband and internet access service. A subscriber’s speed-test screenshot helps document a local problem, but a regulatory finding depends on the applicable testing method and evidence. A single test or signal-bar reading cannot reproduce the agency’s complete assessment.
What can a subscriber do?
- Record the exact location, date, time, operator, plan, device and network mode. Keep repeated tests and outage screenshots.
- File a service report with the operator. Retain the ticket number, response and billing records, and ask for a specific remedy or billing review.
- If unresolved, file a written complaint with the NTC. Section 17(a) of the Public Service Act, as amended, lets the regulator investigate “upon complaint in writing” and require a public service to furnish adequate service. Use the NTC complaint form and file it with the NTC regional office covering your area (for Metro Manila, NTC-NCR) or through the NTC’s official channels. RA 11659.
- Expect conciliation first. Under a published NTC regional procedure, a legal officer may first contact the provider to resolve the complaint and, failing that, call the parties to mediation; a signed settlement closes the case. NTC complaint procedure (Region VII).
Bring or attach: your account number and plan, the operator’s ticket numbers and replies, dated speed tests and outage screenshots with locations, and bills for the affected period. Ask for a specific remedy, such as repair or a billing adjustment, rather than a share of the ₱100,000 daily fine. Deadline: we did not verify a fixed period for NTC consumer complaints; file while the records are recent. Explain the location and service failure rather than assuming the announced government penalty itself grants compensation.
For related legal context, see CyberCode’s guides to the Konektadong Pinoy Act and the DICT Act. The September action concerns identified Metro Manila mobile broadband test areas, not a nationwide ruling against all three operators.
What happens next?
The documents to watch are the actual NTC show cause orders, test results, company responses and any final orders after hearing. We will update this dated report if the agency publishes them.
Sources
- NTC MC No. 10-12-2016 (primary measurement rule).
- RA 11659, Public Service Act amendments — Senate Legislative Digital Resource (primary legal authority; Secs. 17(a) and 21).
- NTC consumer complaint form and NTC procedure in handling complaints (Region VII).
- Inquirer report of NTC’s September 25 statement (case-specific announcement).
Sources rechecked as of: September 28, 2026