In a phone interview, NTC Director Edgardo R. Cabarios said that a public consultation and hearing was sought after some telecommunication providers during a Senate hearing proposed “ways to measure speed connections and methods of measurement.”
The Senate inquiry last month, which was called by Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV, was centered on whether consumers are getting their money’s worth from their Internet and telecommunications service providers.
NTC said during the hearing that it will issue a memorandum circular prescribing minimum standards for telecommunication companies and Internet service providers on broadband connectivity.
In a notice of public consultation and hearing published yesterday, the NTC invited all affected and interested parties to a meeting on Nov. 7 about their proposals to amend Memorandum Order No.07-07-2011 on the minimum speed of broadband connections.
Tabled for discussion, among others, are the parameters to be measured; the methods and periods of measurement of broadband speed connectivity; who should conduct the measurement; and methods of mediation and arbitration in case of disputes.
NTC said during the Senate inquiry that it will buy the equipment needed to monitor the level of broadband connectivity provided by telecommunication companies.
“We need to settle all their proposals first before we can buy equipment that will measure the speed of telco’s broadband services’ connectivity,” Mr. Cabarios explained.
The NTC will conduct another public hearing, according to Mr. Cabarios, after it settles all concerns during the first consultation.
“After that, we will be issuing the amended memorandum before the year ends,” he added.
Other than implementing a minimum speed for broadband connections, the NTC memorandum circular could likewise contain amendments on broadband advertisements that will require the telecommunication companies remove or clarify terms like “unlimited” or “up to” with regard to broadband speed and amount of data offered.
In a report by the United Nations Broadband Commission published last month, the Philippines ranked 57th among 132 countries surveyed for household broadband penetration in 2013.
