Telco firms vow to comply with new rules on Internet speed

MANILA, Philippines - Telecommunication firms said they would comply with the National Telecommunications Commission’s new rules on the measurement of broadband or Internet service access.

“The new NTC memorandum circular was drawn up based on inputs from both consumer groups and industry players. We will work with the NTC to implement it,” Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. spokesperson Ramon Isberto said in a text message.

In a statement, Globe Telecom said it would continue to work with the NTC to ensure its subscribers get seamless broadband and data services.

In terms of advertising, Globe said it is already providing information on the features of its broadband and data services to consumers.

As for data volume, the company has been informing its customers of their mobile Internet usage by sending text notifications upon breaching Internet speeds of 1.5 gigabytes (GB), 2.5 GB, and 3 GB, Globe said.

Globe customers are also advised via short message service once they reach their monthly usage limit.

Last week, the NTC issued Memorandum Circular 07-08-2015 with the aim of empowering consumers to make informed choices on broadband or Internet access service.

Under the circular, Internet service providers  would have to specify the average downstream and upstream data rates offered per area.

Service offers made through advertisements, flyers and brochures should also 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 using different broadband or Internet access data plans at least twice a week during peak and off-peak hours.

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.