Broadband Quality of Service Experience (QoSE):

How does PH Internet Fare?

Mary Grace Mirandilla-SantosIndependent telecom/ICT policy researcher

June 27, 2014 | DOST-ICTO

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

AT-Tester Method

1. 6 Parameters: Download, Upload, RTT, Jitter, Packet Loss and Availability

2. Multiple days: during the week and on weekends3. 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 locations5. Varying server locations: ISP domain; International domain;

National domain

Participants: select South Asian and Southeast Asian cities , including Manila.

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.

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

Actual vs. Advertised SpeedDownload from an international server

Actual vs. Advertised Speed

31.8%

Actual vs. Advertised SpeedDownload from an international server

Latency - InternationalPhilippine ISPs Only

Jitter - InternationalPhilippine ISPs Only

Value for Money (kbps per USD)Philippine ISPs Only

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.

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

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

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.

Thank you.

Mary Grace Mirandilla-SantosIndependent telecom/ICT policy researcher

gmirandilla at gmail dot comhttp://www.linkedin.com/in/gracemirandilla