Globe Telecom, one of the major broadband providers in the country, on Tuesday reported that the cost of broadband has dropped by more than 60 percent since 2016.

In a statement, Darius Delgado, head of Globe’s broadband business, said investments and improvements in the country’s network, such as the use of 4G/LTE, 5G, and fiber optic cables have improved the speed and quality of the internet, resulting in more affordable services.

“As we widen our footprint for broadband, we likewise make the services more affordable. We have a whole range of broadband offers suited to one’s budget and internet usage,” Delgado said.

According to a report from Globe Telecom, one gigabyte in 2016 costs about PHP26 compared to PHP9 per GB over the last two years for its ‘Globe at Home Postpaid LTE,’ a price decrease of 65.38 percent.

“Likewise, Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi customers now pay PHP9 per GB only from as high as PHP23 in 2017; PHP15 in 2018; and PHP10 in 2019 or a decrease of 60.87 percent since 2017,” the report read.

From up to PHP13 per GB in 2016, it said its wired customers now have unlimited data access.

For its prepaid mobile customers, it said its price per GB is “among the lowest in Southeast Asia”.

“Globe’s PHP11.25 per GB with its new Go prepaid promo is more affordable compared to Thailand (P190.59); Singapore (P35.60) and Indonesia (P32.76),” the report read.

In August, US-based network testing company Ookla reported that both fixed broadband and mobile broadband internet speeds in the Philippines have more than doubled since 2016 — from about 7.91 mbps in July 2016 to about 25.07 mbps in July 2020 for fixed broadband and from about 7.44 mbps in July 2016 to 16.95 mbps in July 2020 for mobile broadband. (PNA)