Fined telcos ask NTC for due process
In a statement, the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunication Operators (PCTO), made up of companies including PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc., demanded the NTC extend due process to telcos before handing out penalties.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — The country’s biggest telcos are asking the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to observe due process after they were slapped with a daily fine of P100,000 over internet quality.
In a statement, the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunication Operators (PCTO), made up of companies including PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc., demanded the NTC extend due process to telcos before handing out penalties.
The PCTO said the NTC has started charging fines over internet quality upon the issuance of show-cause orders.
The telcos were unable to air their side and contest the findings. Further, they questioned the process by which the NTC had arrived at the conclusion that their internet services are poor.
The PCTO said it recognizes the NTC’s memorandum circular requiring periodic audits on telco performance. However, the NTC has yet to outline the methodologies for the audit, from actual metrics to testing conditions.
“Operators should not be penalized under standards that have not been clearly defined and have not been consistently applied,” the PCTO said.
The telcos flagged the government for regulatory uncertainty and its penalty regime, as resources have to be diverted to paying fines instead of network investments.
They also attacked the NTC for failing to address longstanding issues on the local level, ranging from varying local government permitting to costly charges and lengthy approvals.
PLDT, Globe and Dito Telecommunity Corp. were imposed a P100,000 a day penalty until such time they have upgraded network assets to improve internet coverage in certain areas.
Globe was told to step up efforts in Makati and Quezon City; PLDT unit Smart Communications Inc. in Manila, Parañaque and Pasig and Dito, in Las Piñas, Pasay and San Juan.
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