“We welcome NTC’s order to triple the current life of prepaid loads. This is something that they should have done a long time ago,” said Mr. Leon Dulce, spokesperson for consumer advocacy group TXTPower and Data Visualization team head of the Computer Professionals’ Union (CPU). “We hope the Telcos will comply and not fight this order, and that the NTC should see to it that it is enforced.”

The CPU is a convenor of TXTPower, providing technical support in their efforts to protect consumer rights. It has recently conducted an online mobile users’ survey “as our first attempt to document cases and complaints regarding mobile use which will be later presented to the NTC," said Mr. Dulce. The survey can be accessed at www.cp-union.com/mobileusers.

"Despite huge profits, mobile users continue to experience poor quality of service from telcos," lamented Mr. Dulce. "Worse, users are even robbed of their load."

In the survey, half of the respondents complains of network access problem (sending and receiving messages, busy network on call attempt), lack of network coverage, expiring and disappearing load credits. The survey also recorded 28% of complaints on dropped calls. Inaccurate billing is also raised by about 7% of the respondents.

"These are clear indications that even with huge profits, telcos still fail to satisfy mobile users," said Mr. Dulce. "Expiring and disappearing loads without valid reason is the same as robbing users with their hard-earned money." About 41% spends 500.00 in a month. Most users will "load" five times for the same period. "Most users are poor yet telcos continue to milk their pockets."

Globe Telecom’s net profit in the first quarter of 2009 is up by 17% to P4 billion from the previous year’s P3.4 billion. Sun Cellular, the mobile arm of Digitel, has projected its revenues to double this year. PLDT, of which Smart Communications is a subsidiary, likewise posted healthy profits with a core net income improvement of 9.39% to P10.22 billion from P9.34 billion.

"NTC should immediately address these issues. The Senate should also extend their full support to advocacy groups in helping consumers." said Mr. Dulce. CPU and TXTPower will launch a consumer hotline this 4 July 2009 to document complaints. Online reports will be available at http://www.cp-union.com/txtpowercenter. Users can call 02.413.4196 or send sms to 09071134503. The portal was developed by CPU using free and open source software (FOSS). Its mapping capabilities are provided by Ushahidi.org.# # #