Smart edges Globe in latest NTC tests

Smart Communications edged out rival Globe Telecoms in the latest mobile network benchmarking of the National Telecommunications Commission as both firms passed all five parameters set by the regulator.

Based on the NTC’s 4th Quarter quality of service benchmarking results for mobile network service providers, both Smart and Globe met acceptable levels in five parameters: blocked calls, dropped call rate, signal strength, signal quality and call set-up time or the time required for the network to activate the called party. The latest mobile tests were conducted in December to determine the quality of service during the holiday season.

On the parameter for blocked calls or grade of service (GoS), which refers to the percentage of calls that were not given access by the network, the NTC said that Smart was measured at 1 percent, which was the lowest percentage, establishing an edge over Globe’s 2 percent. The NTC’s performance standard is less than or equal to 4 percent, which means there should be no more than four blocked calls for every 100 call attempts.

On dropped call rate or the percentage of on-going calls that were involuntarily terminated, both companies passed the cap of 2 percent imposed by the NTC. Smart had 1 percent dropped calls, lower than Globe’s 1.2 percent.

For average receive signal level, NTC said Smart had an edge over Globe. Smart was measured at -64.49dBm and Globe registered at -71.78dBm. The acceptable industry level is more than or equal -85dBm. Average receive signal level refers to the signal strength provided by the serving cellsite to the mobile handset of the subscriber while a conversation is ongoing. This refers to the signal bar of a subscriber’s handset. Doris C. Dumlao