Telcos to get their comeuppance

If there is one Senate investigation that majority of the Filipinos support, it is that on what Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile had called “predatory” practices of telecommunications companies (telcos). For so long, the telcos have abused hapless subscribers, raking in billions in profits in the process. Now, these giants are set to met their comeuppance from determined senators. After years of picking on those not their size, they’ve finally met their match.

If there is no mention of the erring telcos in the leading dailies and television channels, blame it on the clout of the telcos in the advertising world. Truth may be stilled by not mentioning it in print and on the air—but only for a moment, not forever.

Why is a cell phone call from Manila to another cell phone in Mindanao considered a local call, but a cell phone call from Manila to a landline in Manila or vice versa considered a long distance call? Then, why should a call that got cut after a few seconds be billed as a one-minute call? Why are messages received late.
There are about 68 million cell phones in the country today, with about 66 million of them pre-paid. This big number of potential victims is enough reason for the Senate to rein in the bullies among the telcos and give them their comeuppance.

To read complete article click here 6/24/09 Manila Times