PLDT, Smart subscribers report issues with internet service

MANILA (UPDATE 3) — Many PLDT, Smart and TNT subscribers again reported being unable to access the internet on Friday afternoon.

BDO also reported having problems with its online services due to "telco issues."

Outage reporting website downdetector.ph showed a spike in the number of PLDT, Smart and TNT subscribers reporting problems with their service around 3:56 p.m.

People also posted comments on PLDT and Smart's official Facebook pages complaining about lack of internet service.

Downdetector showed that 89 percent of complaints about PLDT was about problems with internet access, while for Smart subscribers 49 percent reported problems with their mobile internet, while 44 percent said they had no signal. For TNT, 79 percent of complaints was about lack of signal.

BDO meanwhile said its apps, the BDO Online website, branch services, ATMs, and Contact Center are currently unavailable due to nationwide telco issues. 

"We're working closely with our telco partners to restore the services as soon as possible," BDO said in a statement posted on its official Facebook page.

On downdetector, reports about problems accessing BDO online banking services spiked around the same time as subscribers of PLDT and Smart began reporting problems with internet access.

The Sy-owned lender later reported that as of 6:37 p.m., BDO apps, BDO Online website, branch services, ATMs, and Contact Center services have been restored.  

On downdetector, outage reports for PLDT and Smart also started to taper off around 6:30 p.m. PLDT-Smart has yet to issue a statement on the matter.

Smart subscribers also reported having issues with mobile internet access last Tuesday. 

ISSUE RESOLVED

PLDT later assured its customers that the issue has been fixed Friday night. 

"We encountered a technical issue earlier today that caused intermittent service for some Smart mobile and PLDT fiber users in parts of Metro Manila and Central Luzon," the telecommunication company said in a statement. 

"The issue has since been resolved, and services should now be back to normal. We recommend restarting your devices to refresh connections."

It also apologized and appealed for understanding from those who were affected by the outage.

"Our apologies for the inconvenience, and thank you for your patience and understanding."