The country’s three telecommunications players will start implementing today new access charges on short messaging services (SMS) that will lower the cost of sending text within two different networks.
Globe Telecom, Smart Communications Inc. and its sister-company Sun Cellular, have informed the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) that the new access charge will lower the SMS fee by P0.20, NTC deputy commissioner Delilah F. Deles said.
Early this month, the telcos signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to formally reduce the interconnection charges on SMS by P0.20 per text in compliance with the NTC Memorandum Circular No.02-10-2011 issued October 24.
Telcos were given 20 days from the effectivity of the circular last November 10 to implement the new access charges for the benefit of Filipino subscribers.
Under the MOA, Smart, Sun Cellular and Globe will revise their interconnection charges on SMS from P0.35 per SMS to P0.15.
Even with the lower SMS rates, which are expected to drive traffic, telcos were mandated to ensure better services.
"All SMS network provider are enjoined to ensure that they have adequate facilities that would guarantee that 99 percent of text messages reach their destinations within 30 seconds from the time the messages are sent," the circular said.
"Each of the network involved in the interconnection should provide the interconnection links or circuits required to efficiently and effectively handle their respective SMS traffic," it added.
Aside from lower SMS rates, telcos have to continue all types of unlimited text and call offerings during Christmas and New Year.
The memorandum circular, however, on lower access charges for voice calls is expected to be completed within the year.
Under the draft circular on voice calls, NTC proposed a three year’s glide period for lowering the access charges – P2 per minute; P1.50 per minute and P1.00 per minute for the first, second and third year, respectively.
