NTC offers hope for cellphone owners sick of junk text

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will come up with a database of all mobile subscribers who do not want to receive broadcast/push messages or unsolicited text messages transmitted to the user by the telecommunications company or content provider without the subscriber’s consent.

The commission is currently amending its rules on broadcast messaging service in order to address mounting consumer complaints against spam or unsolicited text messages (particularly commercial and promotional advertisements and surveys) initiated either by the public telecommunications entity (PTE) or the content provider (CP) which creates the information sent.

Broadcast Messaging Service allows the PTE or the CP one to send the same short messaging service (text only) or multimedia messaging service (the latter contains images, videos, audio and text) to a large number of mobile phones.

To be included in the proposed not-to-text database, a subscriber can send an SMS ("REG<space>NOTOSPAM") to the NTC Text Hotline (682). Subscribers shall be charged P2.50 per text to cover the cost of the telecommunications facilities and the administrative cost.

Subscribers will then receive an auto reply confirming that he has been included in the not-to-text database.

Mobile phone subscribers can also personally fill up a form available at the One -Stop Public Assistance Center (OSPAC) requesting the NTC to include him in the not-to-text database.

Within 24 hours, the NTC shall furnish the PTEs/CPs with a copy of the list of subscribers included in the not-to-text database. Also within 24 hours from receiving the said list, the PTEs/CPs shall no longer send any Broadcast/Push messages to those included in the list.

A subscriber included in the not-to-text database who wishes to be removed from the list can send an SMS ("CANCEL<space> NOTOSPAM") to the NTC Text Hotline and will likewise be charged P2.50 per text. Subscribers will then receive an auto reply confirming that he has been removed from the not-to-text database. Within 24 hours, the NTC shall update the PTEs/CPs regarding changes in the not-to-text database.