'Harsh' penalties for cable operators hit

THE Federation of International Cable TV Associations of the Philippines (Fictap) has opposed the proposed "harsh" penalties from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for cable television and internet operators.

Fictap National Chairman Estrellita Juliano-Tamano said on Wednesday that the proposed memorandum circular for the violations of NTC rules and regulations "did not consider the plight of cable TV and internet providers, composed of a large group of struggling micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)" that are [ironically] considered "active government partners" in the national internet-for-all program.