‘3 in 5 Pinoys want 5G service all the time’

At least three-fifths of Filipino mobile users are demanding uninterrupted 5G service from their network providers, and they are willing to pay extra for it, according to a survey by Swedish telco Ericsson. Sixty percent of the respondents identified specific moments when they require guaranteed 5G connectivity. Furthermore, 36 percent of Filipinos are ready to pay a premium for superior service quality.

Daniel Ode, the head of Ericsson for Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines, stated that telcos could potentially earn an additional two months of average revenue per user (ARPU) from the commitment to pay more. He noted that Filipinos are discerning when it comes to connectivity services. Ode emphasized that demand for 5G signals would only increase as Filipinos increasingly rely on AI tools for daily tasks.

He projected that AI usage on phones among Filipinos would double to 32 percent by 2030, up from the current 16 percent. Ode advised telcos to build subscriber loyalty by offering performance-assured products to capture the growing demand. The survey also revealed that one in four Filipinos is open to alternative models, including subscription-based services within third-party apps.

Globally, the Philippines has surpassed global averages in terms of guaranteed 5G service and willingness to pay a premium. Ericsson's survey, which included over 43,000 users across 27 markets, found that Filipinos are less likely to settle for standard connectivity products. The survey gathered insights from more than 34,000 active 5G subscribers in the Philippines, representing approximately 46 million smartphone users.