To Smart, Globe, Sun, refund P111 million for illegal text charges – Bayan Muna
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – Lower texts rate now and sanction non-complying telecommunication firms.
This was the demand of the progressive party list group Bayan Muna as its members held a protest in front of the offices of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) early this week. The group decried what it said was the NTC’s “inutility” in sanctioning the country’s telecommunications companies for ignoring the commission’s order to lower rates for short message services ( SMS or more popularly known as texts messages). The group also pushed the NTC to order the telcos to refund consumers. Based on reports, the telcos Smart, Globe and Digitel owe their subscribers at least P111 million ($2.58 million) because they continue to charge 20 centavos more for every text.
Rates should have been lower by 20 centavos since November 30 after the NTC issued memorandum circular 02-10-2011. The circular prescribes the maximum interconnection charge for text messages and the new fees should be imposed not later than 20 days from the circular’s effectivity. The circular took effect last November 10. The agency is also considering cutting interconnection charges for cellular voice calls at a maximum of two pesos per minute during the first year; and not more than P1.50 on the second year; and a maximum of one peso on year three onwards. The country’s telcos currently charges each other four pesos per minute on interconnection for voice calls.
If the proposal is approved, voice call rates can be lowered to between three to four pesos ($0.069 to $0.093) per minute on the first year; two pesos ($0.046) per minute on the following year; and one peso ($0.023) per minute on the third year onwards. Currently, cellular voice call rates are pegged at P6.50 ($0.15)( per minute. Mobile phone interconnection rates were last adjusted in 2003.
The NTC said interconnection rates to mobile service operators in the Philippines is still one of the highest in Asia..... MORE
Source: Bulatlat.com
URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/12/07/to-smart-globe-sun-refund-p111-million-for-illegal-text-charges-%E2%80%93-bayan-muna/