Telco subscribers gain more ‘freedom’
Credit to Author: LISBET K. ESMAEL| Date: Tue, 04 Jun 2019 16:21:25 +0000
Subscribers of Globe Telecom and PLDT Inc. recently gained more flexibility in using their mobile phones with the release of government rules mandating telecommunications companies (telcos) to unlock their devices after the lock-in period.
Almost six months after the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) called on the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to craft rules and regulations on unlocking mobile phones and devices, the regulator, in a memorandum circular (MC) number 01-05-2019, finally issued the rules to implement the “pro-consumer policy.”
This would allow postpaid subscribers to shift to other telcos after they complied to the subscription deal within the contract time, which usually takes two years. After subscribers complete the lock-in period under their service contract without outstanding obligation, telco operators or wireless service providers must have facilities and processes to open the line of their devices.
“This is also a step to encourage our service providers to innovate on their offers,” DICT acting head Eliseo Rio Jr. said.
Under the rules, telecommunications companies must post on their websites their policy on unlocking mobile phones or devices. Telco carriers are also required to provide necessary information both for current and former customers to unlock their devices, as well as notify them if their gadgets are eligible for the said service.
Once telco players receive requests from customers, they have two working days to answer if the device is eligible and explain if not, or why it needs more time to process the request.
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