SMS should be at Php 0.80 only – NTC

Rejoice! Well at least it is now finally clear, Short Messaging Service (SMS) rates should be at Php 0.80 only since December 2011. How many regular SMS did you send since then?

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) denied the motions for reconsideration filed last December 2012 by Smart Communications Inc., Digitel Mobile Philippines Inc., and Globe Telecom Inc. that seek to reverse NTC’s order on the rollback of short messaging service (SMS) rates to PHP 0.80 from PHP 1.

Telcos should have regarded the Memorandum Circular 02-10-2011 or the “Interconnection Charge for SMS” that the commission issued in December 2011 but they did not and continued to charge subscribers PHP 1 for every text message sent (for every 160 characters to be exact). Now, they should return all the excess charges to its subscribers. Imagine PHP 0.20 going a long way and will cost telcos billions for not following the order. Not only that, they should also pay a fine of PHP 200 for each day since December 2011.

Refunds could be in a form prepaid credits or through billing for postpaid subscribers according to Edgardo Cabarios, director for Common Carriers Authorization at NTC. Keep in mind that the charges only covers the inter-network and regular text messages not covered by promos like unlimited or combo-package offers.

All telcos responded that have not yet received the new resolution and will still study it first before releasing a statement.

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