Liberalize the Telecommunications Industry in the Philippines

English: The new logo of Smart Communications since Oct. 25, 2011 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I remember that way back in the late 80's and early 90s; to get a badly connected telephone with a party-line in Metro Manila would require you to make a deposit of 25K!! Simply because it was a PLDT monopoly.

Today, almost none has changed! To quote the news from PDI:

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has ordered the country’s top telecommunications firms to refund millions of subscribers after finding that the telcos have been overcharging customers for text messages. Estimates by the Philippine Daily Inquirer showed that Smart Communications, affiliate Sun Cellular and Globe Telecom may have to return at least P1.42 billion to their subscribers.

I, myself, reckon that I have lost hundreds if not thousands of pesos of missing and disappearing loads.

If you use Skype to call, just compare the cost between Singapore and the Philippines. Philippines cost 10 cents, calling Singapore is about 0.010, it is 10X more expensive in PH!

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