The 5G race in the Philippines is heating up, with PLDT Home WiFi 5G+ leveraging its
expansive network and DITO Telecommunity seeking traction behind its RedCap
technology. But does it really deliver the 5G experience?
Speed: Who Delivers More?
The PLDT Home WiFi 5G+ device delivers speeds of up to 1.5 Gbps, while DITO’s service
caps speeds to 100 Mbps—a significant difference that could shape consumer choices as demand for faster, more stable connections grows.
PLDT’s uncapped speeds position it as the preferred choice for households juggling multiple devices, ensuring smooth streaming and low-latency gaming. In contrast, DITO’s capped 100 Mbps speeds raise questions whether this is real 5G experience that will be sufficient as digital needs increase.
Affordability in Focus: PLDT vs. DITO Pricing
PLDT Home WiFi 5G+ is retailed at PHP 1,495 which offers households affordable access to high-speed internet, benefiting from the company’s large-scale infrastructure investments. DITO’s prepaid package is priced at PHP 1,990, a significant difference. Arguably, PLDT’s network and pricing strategy gives it the edge in combining affordability with performance.
Scaling the Network Investments
In the 5G landscape, network strength, coverage, and affordability work in tandem. PLDT covers 97% of the population through Smart’s network, ensuring its 5G+ service is accessible where it’s needed most.
PLDT’s 5G network is available in over 600 cities while DITO’s 5G service currently operates in 19 cities. PLDT’s capex investments of Php 635.2 billion over the last ten years reflects its commitment to expanding coverage and reliability. This level of investment creates economies of scale, keeping prices competitive—an area where DITO, with its smaller infrastructure, may struggle to compete.
Ultimately, trust, consistency, and execution will determine the long-term winner in the 5G race. PLDT’s steady rollout and heavy infrastructure investments suggest it is ready to meet consumer expectations and maintain quality service over time. For DITO as a new entrant, the real challenge lies in delivering a real 5G experience at a low price when they already achieve scale.
In the end, bold claims only go so far—what matters is who can deliver when the dust settles.
