Telco airs concern on wire theft cases

CEBU, Philippines - A telecommunications company expressed their concern to the Cebu City Council about the rampant stealing of cable wires in the city, which was cited as one of the reasons why internet connections are slow. 

Globe Telecom representative Dong Guevarra, in a public hearing last Wednesday, said that the stealing of 97 cable copper wires in the city this year alone has led to a lot of interruptions of their internet connection.

Due to this, the company resorted to limiting the speed or the megabit per second (mbps) of their internet users.

“If the internet user reaches one gigabyte a day, we will limit it until 12 midnight but still they can enjoy the unlimited service,” he pointed out.

Apart from Globe, pilferage of cable wires is reportedly a concern as well of other telecommunication companies in Cebu City.

Guevarra explained that while 97 percent of their internet users are considered “normal users,” there are three percent of internet subscribers who are considered as “heavy users” or those who constantly upload and download data online. These users also cause internet interruptions considering that all telecom internet networks or internet service providers have shared resources.

With the number of cable wire pilferage cases in the city, Guevarra said their normal operation is interrupted.

To remedy this, he said they will coordinate with all barangay officials and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to address the rampant stealing of copper wires, which reportedly costs P150 per kilo.

 â€œWe have a huge coverage and we cannot guard or police (all) our properties,” he said.

 Abner Lagdameo, a Globe subscriber, in his privilege speech said that his internet service provider failed to restore his internet connection in a month.

“Why is it that the internet speed is not uniform and consistent throughout the day? Fluctuation seems to be the norm and frustration and exasperation are what we experience. Why is it that the promised internet speed is not being delivered? In my case, the max that my connection gets is only 20 percent of the promised speed. Aren’t we, the subscribers, being short-changed?” stressed Lagdameo.

 Councilors James Cuenco, Alvin Arcilla and Dave Tumulak also aired their sentiments for failure of internet service providers to immediately respond or restore their internet services every time connections bogged down.

 National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) lawyer Allan Macaraya cited the provision under the Public Service Law, which states that telecommunication subscribers can file a complaint against the telecommunication companies if they haven’t received worthy services from the internet providers.

 He pointed out that the complaint must be referred first to the concerned company, but failure to act on it within 30 working days, the subscribers can file their complain before the NTC for appropriate sanction.

 Representatives from Globe and PLDT telecommunication were present during the public hearing.   (FREEMAN)