YugaTech | Philippines, Tech Reviews Blog

Andre Cruz tipped me on this breaking news on Inquirer.net about “PLDT to charge for data transmission via its landlines“.

THE PHILIPPINE Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) has said it will start charging fees for data transmission using its basic telephone landlines.

Through what it calls the alternate voice data line (AVD), subscribers who use the same basic telephone line for voice calls and data transmission will be required to connect a special data or voice access device to the basic telephone line.

PLDT said the service will provide a secure means to automatically process and authorize credit card transactions, real-time. One common use for AVD is credit card verification for business subscribers.

Full story here. AVD is a single transmission facility used for either voice or data.

The charges include Php300 a month for the basic AVD, VAT inclusive. An additional fee of P50 to P500 will be added to the charge for connecting an AVD device for residential use and P100 to P1,000 for business use. Other charges will be added for additional services that will use the same line.

I’m a little confused about this article and it’s not really clear if PLDT will start charging people who are using their phone lines for dial-up internet or DSL. I hope I am wrong in that assumption but if that’s how it will end, I don’t understand why would the NTC allow it when they claim that the new service is in line with the government’s thrust to encourage more customer-friendly and affordable telecom services in the country.

The story mentioned about more secure credit card processing and it reminded me of those swipe card machines found at the cashiers. Are those the ones they refer to that needs an AVD line? This needs to be clarified and I don;t want to see any additional charges on my next PLDT billing with the line that says AVD.