NTC looking at data cap rules amid complaints against telco

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is looking at new rules on the use of mobile data as it asked Globe Telecom Inc. to defend a cap imposed on its customers. 

 

“We are now studying if there is a need to promulgate new rules to cover this issue,” NTC director Edgardo Cabarrios said Friday. 

 

The statement came after the NTC summoned Globe senior vice president Froilan Castelo to appear before the regulator on Feb. 13. 

 

The NTC wants the telecommunications firm to explain an alleged data cap of of 1 gigabyte (GB) a day, following a slew of customer complaints. 

 

Globe data plan users also took to the Internet when the telecommunications giant sent text messages reminding some subscribers of their daily data usage limit of 1GB. 

 

In a statement, Castelo said Globe first implemented its fair-use policy covering prepaid calls, SMS and data promos in 2010, but only enforced the policy for postpaid data plans last month. 

 

Catelo maintained the data cap only affects 3 percent of Globe's total users, adding the move was necessary to protect the network against abuse.

He said the policy was necessary "because we want the regular data users who use the Internet for work or leisure to have a consistently great data experience."

 

He added fair-use policies are implemented by telcos abroad too.

 

While a cap on data consumption is not prohibited, Cabarrios maintained: “This should be communicated well with the subscribers.” 

 

New guidelines to be promulgated would also cover Smart Communications Inc. of  Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) that has a data cap of 1.5 gigabytes per day, he said. – SOA/JDS, GMA News