NTC revokes mobile content provider’s registration

The registration of a mobile content provider has been revoked following the complaint of a subscriber whose load has been used up without her knowledge, a National Telecommunications Commission official said Monday.

NTC deputy commissioner Edgardo Cabarios said they have revoked the certificate of registration of Got Deals Mobile Inc. upon the complaint of Feane Mauricio.

“The Commission has revoked the registration certificate of Got Deals and that includes all, including that of Smart so they cannot offer services anymore and we have directed Globe to implement measures that similar incidents will not happen again,” Cabarios told the Senate science and technology committee hearing on "nakaw load."

He said telecommunication companies should implement stricter measures on opting in for value-added services.

Cabarios added they are now preparing a draft Memorandum Circular (MC), expected to be released in June or July, to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

“We have prepared a draft of rules that will amend the MC that was issued in 2005, amended in 2006, and we are introducing another amendment for this year,” he said.

Cabarios said one of the measures that will be included are at least two steps opting in for value-added services.

He added the subscriber must be advised of the load remaining balance every day.

“If they (subcribers) do not file complaints after 30 days then the load is considered OK. This will give also the telcos the right to consider all of these loads as legitimate loads after 30 days,” he said.

He said they will be conducting public consultations on the matter within the week.

“Once we have completed the public consultations, we will prepare the draft and call for a public hearing,” he said. 

Cabarios said the public hearing would be held in May and if there are no major issues that will be raised, the MC can be out in June or July.

In an interview after the committee hearing, Cabarios said they have to publish first the notice of the hearing. After the public hearing, concerned parties will be given 10 days to submit position papers.

“The purpose of the memorandum circular is to minimize, if not eliminate, itong mga issues ng load disappearance,” he said. —KG, GMA News