ROXAS: PER-SECOND PULSE MOBILE CALLS BILLING BY DECEMBER 2009
PRODS STRICT TELCOS COMPLIANCE TO NEW INDUSTRY GUIDELINES

Wireless telephone carriers in the country have agreed to implement a six-second per pulse billing system for mobile voice calls starting December this year, Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas announced today.

Roxas, chairman of the Senate trade and commerce committee, cited the statement of Acting National Telecommunication Commission chairman, Deputy Commissioner Douglas Mallillin, that wireless phone carriers are now in the process of migrating their present billing system into the new per-second system.

"This is good news for the 75 million cellular phone users in the country, especially pre-paid consumers," he said. About 80% of mobile phone users in the country are pre-paid subscribers.

The senator warned though: "We will be monitoring closely the implementation of the new NTC regulations in response to consumer complaints against the telcos. We will remain vigilant in our vow to protect the interest of the public."

Malilin told senators that Globe Telecoms, Smart Communication and Sun Cellular have agreed to the proposed six-second per pulse billing system, which he said is the established billing system adopted by wireless carriers around the globe. Representatives from the three companies confirmed Mallillin's announcement.

The NTC has given telcos 120 days after effectivity of the order, or first week of December this year, to convert their current systems to the new billing scheme and to conduct testing to ensure the smooth implementation of the procedure.

Rates for the per-second system have yet to be finalized by the NTC and the telcos, which have 30 days to submit their proposed rates to the Commission for review and approval.

Mallillin also informed senators the Quezon City regional trial court had already lifted its injunction against the NTC and ordered the dismissal of the eight-year-old case pending before it after the Commission recalled Memorandum Circular 12-06 2000, which is the subject of the court injunction.

Aside from the new voice call billing system, Roxas enjoined the NTC to ensure complete compliance by telcos to the new guidelines on the extension of pre-paid load expiries and the ban on push messages.

"Find a way to make everything, especially the new billing system, transparent and clear to subscribers. The public needs to know where they could best get value for their money," the Visayan senator said.

"The Senate will ensure that public interest is well-protected over the interests of these telecommunication companies. We will not waver from our duty to the public," he added.