Unlimited Broadband Usage Over Soon

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) may allow Internet service providers (ISPs) to cap or limit the daily volume of data allowed per broadband subscriber. In a revised draft of a Memorandum Order (MO) on Minimum Speed of Broadband Connections, the NTC said that ISPs should specify the minimum broadband connection speed, service reliability and rates in their advertisements, flyers, brochures and service contracts.

Coupled with the minimum speeds and reliability, the ISPs would however be allowed to set a maximum volume of data allotted per subscriber per day. The volume cap however should come with a service reliability of at least 80 percent.

NTC in the said MO ordered that the service offers should specify the rates for a minimum Internet connection speed and its reliability. For examples, At PhP900.00 per month of subscription for 512 Kbps minimum connection speed, the service reliability should be 80 percent. At PhP1,000 a month for 512 Kbps, the service reliability should be 85 percent. The draft MO provides that the ISPs may offer Internet connections on a ”best efforts” basis.

”Failure on part of a broadband service provider to comply with the order, the Commission shall file appropriate administrative case against broadband service provider,” the NTC said. Gamaliel Cordoba, NTC commissioner, said the agency drafted a memorandum order on broadband speed to address the concern raised by the Department of Trade and Industry about the poor service of telcos.

The revised draft MO considered the inputs submitted by Digital Telecommunications Phils. Inc., Wi-Tribe Telecoms Inc., Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. Broadband Philippines Inc., Smart Communications and Globe Telecom.