philippine telcos

Bam​: Finally, IP Peering agreement between telcos inked

Sen. Bam Aquino ​welcomes the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for IP peering between PLDT and Globe, which was ironed out after months of talks between the two biggest telecommunication companies in the country.

 “I am very happy that it’s finally happening after months of ​talks. We started looking into this option more than a year ago in the Senate,” said Sen. Bam in his speech during the signing ceremony.

 Sen. Bam hopes that the MOA is “one of more milestones that we can put under our belts in terms of really increasing the speed, quality and access of Internet in the Philippines”.

The senator has been pushing for IP peering, among other solutions, during the Senate hearing on the country’s Internet conditions, which he initiated as chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

Sen. Bam said the benefit of this agreement will be felt by ​n​early all Internet users in the Philippines, especially mobile subscribers who use data, when the IP peering is completed after 30 days.

“The good thing is, bibilis ang internet dahil hindi na kailangan lumabas ng bansa ang data,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Sen. Bam says they will be closely monitoring the developments over the next 30 days and will continue to work on solutions to improve the quality of Internet services in the Philippines.

 

SBN-3208: Increasing Penalties on Erring Telcos

 

For years, Filipinos have been suffering from slow and expensive internet as they struggle to communicate with loved ones living abroad, forge deals with potential business partners and clients around the world or simply get work done and sent quickly and efficiently.

 

Our collective frustrations over our country’s internet quality has been justified by studies on Internet speed and cost per country, putting the Philippines as slowest and most expensive in the region.

 

Being the fastest growing economy in the ASEAN, this is clearly unacceptable and measures to improve our Internet quality while driving down its cost must be prioritized.

 

One of the many steps we must take is to update current policies to ensure that internet providers are held accountable for their activities.

 

Thus, this measure seeks to empower the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) by increasing the penalties and fines for violations against the authority of the NTC and its released certificates, orders, decisions, resolutions, or regulations. With heavier penalties, NTC can expect greater compliance from Internet providers to standards and regulations that have been set to advance Internet quality in the Philippines.

 

When it comes to public services, we must do more than just keep up with the development of our neighbors, but exceed them. Let us band together to significantly improve our Internet services in the Philippines.

 

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

 

 

Bam Eyes Heavier Fines, Penalties Against Erring Telcos

As part of his advocacy for better Internet speed in the country, a senator wants to impose heavier fines and penalties on telecommunication entities that will violate all forms of directives from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

Sen. Bam Aquino’s Senate Bill No. 3208 eyes to amend outdated provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 146 or the Public Service Law to make it attuned to present times, giving NTC more teeth in dealing with erring telecommunication companies.

In his measure, Sen. Bam wants erring telecom firms fined between P300,000 to P5 million for every day, per violation of any certificate,  authority, resolution or regulation of the NTC.

The bill also empowers NTC to increase amount of fine every five years, subject to a certification from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

Previously, the law imposes a measly fine of P200 per day for erring telecommunication companies.

Also, the measure also empowers NTC to impose a P300-million fine on public telecommunication entities that will perform any forbidden action or neglect or fail to perform required act.

“With heavier penalties, NTC can expect greater compliance from Internet providers to standards and regulations that have been set to advance Internet quality in the Philippines,” Sen. Bam said.

If enacted into law, Sen. Bam sees the measure will help improve the country’s slow and expensive Internet, which leaves millions of Filipinos collectively frustrated.

“Being the fastest growing economy in the ASEAN, this is clearly unacceptable and measures to improve our Internet quality while driving down is cost must be prioritized,” said Sen.Bam.

Sen. Bam also called on stakeholders to band together to create a framework for the constant improvement of the country’s Internet system for the benefit of all Filipinos, especially those engaged in commerce.

“When it comes to public services, we must do more than just keep up with the development of our neighbors, but exceed them. Let us band together to significantly improve Internet service in the Philippines,” said Sen. Bam.

For two years, Sen. Bam has been pushing for faster and cheaper Internet service, as he believes it will create jobs and livelihood and make the country more competitive.

 

READ MORE ABOUT SBN 3208

 

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