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By Darwin G. Amojelar, Reporter
GLOBE Telecom Inc. is bucking a plan of the
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to classify short
messaging system (SMS) or text messaging as a value added service.
Text messaging remains the bread-and-butter of
local telecom companies. If the NTC plan pushes through, then even
non-telcos may offer this service.
Froilan Castelo, Globe’s head for regulatory
affairs said text messaging and leased line services are not
value-added because they require a separate infrastructure to
operate.
“Clearly, a [value-added service] provider is
prohibited from putting up its own network or infrastructure and is
only allowed to lease or rent telecommunications equipment and
facilities,” Castelo said.
He noted that in offering text messaging and
leased lines services, these operators shall have to construct their
own infrastructure to operate.
In a draft circular, the NTC plans to consider
messaging services, including SMS, multimedia system (MMS) and
unified messaging, audio and video conferencing, voice mail,
electronic mail, applications service (mobile banking, electronic
payments) audiotext, facsmile, VPN and PBX hosting as value-added.
Castelo cited the implementing rules of Republic
Act 7925, which stated that value-added services are those that add
a feature or value not ordinarily provided by a public telecom
entity, such as format, media, conversion, encryption, enhanced
security features and computer processing, among others.
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