The move will also allow consumers in missionary and far-flung areas to have access to basic telecommunications service and meet a directive given by President Arroyo during her State-Of-the-Nation-Address.
Government is currently preparing a masterplan for the information and communications technology (ICT) sector in order to give incentives to existing public telecommunications entities (PTEs) and other businessmen to set up telephone and Internet facilities all over the country.
PCS refers to the provision of a facility where the public may receive and make local or long distance calls while telecenter service refers to data or Internet access. Providers of these services are called public calling station/office and/or telecenter service provider (PCOTSOP).
Under the draft circular, only NTC-accredited PCOTSOP may use the facility of local exchange carriers (LEC), inter-exchange carrier (IXC) and international gateway facility (IGF) firms.
The circular prepared by the NTC for public comment also provides that these service providers cannot install any transmission networks and shall only be limited to the installation, maintenance and operation of PCS and telecenter equipment.
The NTC draft circular is aimed at encouraging investments from small and medium enterprises and to provide access to telecommunications services in unserved areas. Copies of the circular had already been distributed to the carriers.
Those operating more than six PCS or telecenters at any given local exchange area shall be required to provide access to all LECs. They may be allowed to install wire and or wireless transmission facilities to interconnect with the carriers.
Telecenters and PCS service providers shall be allowed to compete freely as far as rates are concerned. However, in order to protect the consumers, rates for local calls shall not be more than 25 percent of the authorized public pay phone rates of the LECs. The NTC will determine the ceiling rates every year.
As far as access charges are concerned, the PCOTSOPs shall negotiate the rates with the LEC, IXC and IGF firms. – Mary Ann Reyes