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IN this day and age when we are all netizens living
on the information highway where speed is of the absolute essence
since there is only one lane on it—and that is super fast!
But trying impressing that fact
on the guys over at the National Telecommunications Commission whose
job it is to monitor and regulate the telecommunications industry
that is the engine that drives the mighty and all-encompassing IT
machine. Time and time again the powers that be at the NTC have
shown—by their seeming inaction and foot-dragging—that they
operate at only one speed and that just happens to be snail pace.
A most obvious and glaring
example of that is there for all to see in the manner in which the
NTC remains indecisive about the value-added service (VAS)
rules—and thereby putting in grave jeopardy the interests of
consumers whom (in case the NTC commissioners missed the point) they
are mandated to serve and protect.
Which is why it is imperative
that the NTC comes out immediately with clear cut rules to avoid
confusion within the industry. Besides putting consumers at a
disadvantage, the telecom regulatory body’s continued inaction is
in danger of seriously jeopardizing the interests of current and
prospective foreign companies in expanding their presence, or even
infusing additional investments into the country.
The NTC inaction could even bring
it into loggerheads with Malacañang that has been on a roll—led
by President Gloria Arroyo herself—in recent months trying to
attract new investors to the Philippines.
A case in point is the Spanish
company ZED which has been operating successfully in this country
for the past seven years, and which personally expressed to the
President during her recent state visit to Spain its readiness to
expand further in the Philippines subject to there being in place
clear-cut laws and guidelines that are not subject to change
arbitrarily.
As a host to foreign investors,
the NTC is further mandated to assure a healthy business
environment. And by promulgating an urgent ruling on VAS rules it
will ensure a level playing field that ensures healthy competition
for international companies and, almost as importantly, local
players in the telecom arena as well.
In fact ZED is not alone in
anxiously awaiting the NTC’s decision on VAS. Other companies such
as Singapore-based Chikka are also in the same predicament waiting
to get their licenses as VAS providers.
The NTC also needs to get
cracking and rule on the 60/40 foreign ownership case filed against
ZED by a concerned citizen. Until today that ruling has yet to
surface despite its crucial importance to all the parties concerned.
This procrastination on the part
of the NTC again sends a discouraging signal that may be wrongly
interpreted by potential investors and impact negatively on the
business climate in the Philippines.
Today’s fast paced technology
allows telecom companies to still continue offering their content
services to the Philippines while based in other countries.
And, by a cruel irony, the
NTC’s inaction may in the end make it more convenient and
profitable for related companies to do just that and pack up and
set-up in investor-friendly countries like Hong Kong or Singapore,
leaving the Philippines and its economy as the loser because of
bureaucratic bungling.
E-mail: bizzfizz_98@yahoo.com.
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