The document summarizes the results of tests on broadband quality of service in the Philippines using the AsokaTissa Tester methodology. It tested parameters like download and upload speeds, latency, jitter, and packet loss from local and international servers at different times of day. The results showed that Philippine ISPs did not meet acceptable levels for many quality of service parameters and had the lowest value for money compared to other Southeast Asian countries. This impacts users and various sectors like education, businesses, and disaster response. It raises important questions on whether ISPs are truthfully advertising speeds, defining broadband, and if government standards are needed on minimum performance.

1. Broadband Quality of Service
Experience (QoSE):
How does PH Internet Fare?
Mary Grace Mirandilla-Santos
Independent telecom/ICT policy researcher
June 27, 2014 | DOST-ICTO

2. Broadband QoSE
• LIRNEasia: a regional ICT and policy regulation
think tank active across Asia Pacific.
• AsokaTissa (AT) Tester: user-oriented
diagnostic methodology designed to test
different parameters of quality that affect a
user’s online experience.
• Software based; more cost effective; multiple
domains; multiple readings
• Web-based and free: http://www.lirneasia.net/AT_Tester

3. AT-Tester Method
1. 6 Parameters: Download, Upload, RTT, Jitter, Packet Loss and
Availability
2. Multiple days: during the week and on weekends
3. At six times: 0800, 1100, 1500, 1800, 2000, 2300 hrs (3
readings per slot)
4. Averages of multiple readings for each time slot, taken from
unannounced, unknown locations
5. Varying server locations: ISP domain; International domain;
National domain
Participants: select South Asian and Southeast Asian cities ,
including Manila.

4. Parameters Tested
• Throughput (Kbps)
– actual amount of useful data sent on a transmission;
– download or upload speeds to/from a local and int’l server.
• Latency (ms)
– delays when voice packets transverse the network, measured in
milliseconds by using Round Trip Time (RTT);
– less than 300 ms is considered acceptable.
• Jitter (ms)
– uneven latency and packet loss
– less than 50ms is acceptable.
• Packet Loss (%)
– number of packets that does not reach destination.
– less than 3% is considered good.

5. Source: Gonsalves, T.A. & Bharadwaj, A. (2009)

6. Actual vs. Advertised Speed
Download from an international server

7. Actual vs. Advertised Speed
31.8%

8. Actual vs. Advertised Speed
Download from an international server

9. Latency - International
Philippine ISPs Only

10. Jitter - International
Philippine ISPs Only

11. Value for Money (kbps per USD)
Philippine ISPs Only

12. Value for Money
Download speed (average of 4 days/time slot)
Monthly Cost of Plan (USD)*
If you pay PHP800/month for speeds of “up
to 3.6 Mbps” but your actual average speed is
500 kbps, then you get only 14% of what you
pay for (based on advertised speed).
* For prepaid, the “unli data promo” cost for 5 days was used
x 6 to get the price for 30 days or 1 month.

13. Value for Money (kbps per USD)
Philippine vs. select SA & SEA ISPs

14. Who and what are affected?
• Public sector: e-Government
• Business: SMEs and online sellers
• Education: e-Learning and distance learning
• Local content providers: Local websites,
Online gaming
• Disaster risk reduction: Project NOAH, ARKO
• Ordinary citizens: OFWs and their families,
students, telecommuters, freelancers

15. Important Questions
• Is there truth in advertising?
21.7% highest actual vs. advertised speed achieved.
Recommended is 80% for PH.
• Are Philippine ISPs offering broadband?
(Relatively) better performing PH plan tested offered >256
kbps download speed only 50% of the time.
• Must government rule on minimum performance
standards for internet service?
All three major ISPs did not meet acceptable levels for critical
QoSE parameters (actual vs advertised, latency, jitter) and has
lowest value for money among all ISPs tested.

16. Thank you.
Mary Grace Mirandilla-Santos
Independent telecom/ICT policy researcher
gmirandilla at gmail dot com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/gracemirandilla