It’s no secret that mobile internet speeds in the Philippines are pretty abysmal compared to the rest of the world, but things are looking up. Mobile internet speeds have improved quite a bit from Q4 last year compared to Q3 of 2016, according to the Asia Network Quality Report from J.P. Morgan Securities acquired by Smart.

The data shows that LTE download speeds in the country has now hit 8.24 megabits per second in the last quarter of 2016, which is up from the previous 7.27Mbps LTE average the previous quarter. That’s higher than the 6.66Mbps LTE speeds of Indonesia at the same period.

Smart is also proud of the fact that they’ve take the lead in the NCR of 3G, with download speeds of 2.85Mbps. Average download speeds for LTE in Visayas is 7.39Mbps while 9.99Mbps is the norm for Manila.

Earlier last year both PLDT (parent company of Smart) and Globe acquired the telco assets of San Miguel Corporation, which included the highly coveted 700MHz spectrum that significantly boosts the range and penetration of LTE networks, which have contributed to the faster LTE speeds.

PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications (Smart), is also undertaking a nationwide, 3-year network expansion and overhaul program to improve both coverage and quality of service, particularly its LTE service.

A major leg of this network expansion is currently underway in Metro Manila and in Metro Cebu, and is expected to significantly boost Smart’s voice, SMS, and mobile data services, specially its indoor LTE coverage, in these urban centers. Earlier, Smart already completed its network overhaul program in Boracay and Metro Davao, where users have already reported improved quality of LTE services.

“We are asking for our customers’ patience and understanding while we are making a lot of changes in our network facilities. These activities are being done during the most inactive hours of the day, and we are putting systems in place to keep to a minimum the impact on our subscribers. In the end, our commitment to all our subscribers is that they will enjoy progressively better mobile data services in the next few months, particularly for those using LTE devices,” said Joachim Horn, chief technology and information advisor for PLDT and Smart.