NTC releases new rules on broadband data plans

MANILA, Philippines - The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has released rules covering the measurement of broadband or Internet access service to allow consumers to make informed choices. 

Under Memorandum Circular 07-08-2015 dated Aug. 13, the NTC said Internet Service Providers (ISPs) would have to specify the average downstream and upstream data rates offered per area. 

Service offers made through advertisements, flyers and brochures should have the service rates for broadband or Internet connection data plans. 

ISPs are allowed to set a cap on the data volume for each service package, plan or promo per day, week or month, provided they automatically inform subscribers when the data volume consumed has reached 80 percent, 85 percent, 90 percent and 95 percent of the limit. 

Once the data volume consumed reaches 100 percent, the subscriber should be informed immediately that continued use of the service would be charged the normal rate.

To ensure the rules are followed, the NTC will monitor and measure the downstream and upstream average data rate, latency, jitter and packet loss using different broadband or Internet access data plans at least twice a week during peak and off-peak hours. 

The measurements will be conducted in a combination of known locations or those agreed upon by the ISPs, consumer groups and NTC, as well as unknown locations or those selected by the Commission. 

The ISPs and consumer groups would be informed of the unknown locations used not later than two days after the measurements are made.

During the tests, the following servers will be accessed: within the Local Area Network (LAN) of the ISP; outside the LAN of the ISP but within the national network; and outside the Philippines. 

The results of the monitoring and measurements which will include details on location, date and time as well as subscriber data plans used will be posted on the NTC’s website not later than five days from the end of each month. 

Subscribers have been complaining about the speed of broadband services in the country amid free and unlimited Internet service offered by telecommunication firms. 

“Through the rules, we want to empower the subscribers so they will know and can choose the service they want,” Cabarios said. 

He said the rules would also enable consumers to file a complaint with the NTC for poor service.