Philippines
Mobile networks and carriers in Philippines use 2 GSM bands, 2 UMTS bands, 8 LTE bands, and 3 5G NR bands. Find out if your unlocked phone or mobile device will work in Philippines. See the tables below for details.
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Check device compatibilityThe Philippines has experienced significant growth in its mobile network development, despite being plagued by a deeply entrenched duopoly in the telecommunications industry. The industry was deregulated in 1995, which led to the establishment of modern infrastructure facilities. Mobile communication has seen a massive increase in penetration rate, with about 87% of Filipino adults using mobile phones as of 2018.
Smart and Globe are the two major operators, with Smart being the only Filipino operator to hold the 5G Availability award. Smart leads in 5G Availability with a score of 15.9%, while Globe trails behind with 9.2%. Smart also excels in 5G Reach, scoring 4.7 points on a 10-point scale, while Globe is in last place with four points.
The country has made strides in 4G coverage, with Smart winning the 4G Coverage Experience award with a score of 8.2 points, closely followed by Globe with 8.1 points. DITO, the newest operator, has a long way to go but is making progress, increasing its score by 0.5 points.
Despite these advancements, mobile network infrastructure inadequacies persist, particularly in rural areas. The availability of stable mobile signals and 4G connectivity remains concentrated in urban areas. The smartphone market is dominated by ultra-low-end phones, which are preferred due to their affordability and widespread availability.
The use of mobile phones has become essential for everyday life, with mobile internet penetration increasing by 30 million users annually. Mobile phones are used for various activities, including social media, messaging, entertainment, navigation, gaming, music, and shopping. The country's mobile phone usage is also evident in grassroots activities, such as health communication and community information dissemination.
Overall, while the Philippines has made substantial progress in its mobile network development, it continues to face challenges related to infrastructure and affordability, particularly in rural areas.
Carriers
| Name | # of frequency bands in use |
|---|---|
| DITO | 5 |
| Globe | 10 |
| Smart | 13 |
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Frequencies in use
GSM
| Name | Interface |
|---|---|
| 900 MHz (E-GSM) | GSM |
| 1800 MHz (DCS) | GSM |
UMTS
| Name | Interface |
|---|---|
| B1 (2100 MHz) | UMTS |
| B8 (900 MHz GSM) | UMTS |
LTE
| Name | Interface |
|---|---|
| B1 (2100 MHz) | LTE |
| B3 (1800 MHz +) | LTE |
| B5 (850 MHz) | LTE |
| B7 (2600 MHz) | LTE |
| B28 (700 MHz APT) | LTE |
| B34 (TD 2000 MHz) | LTE |
| B40 (TD 2300 MHz) | LTE |
| B41 (TD 2500 MHz) | LTE |
5G NR
| Name | Interface |
|---|---|
| N28 (700 MHz) | 5G NR |
| N41 (2500 MHz) | 5G NR |
| N78 (3500 MHz) | 5G NR |
