NTC to raise fines on spam text messages

By Darwin G. Amojelar, Manila Times

THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) plans to impose higher fines to eliminate spam text messages.

Spam messages are unsolicited and unwanted commercial and promotional advertisements and surveys.

Ruel V. Canobas, NTC chief, said from 2005 to 2007 the agency has received 256 and 823 written and phoned-in complaints, adding that 16 administrative cases had been filed.

The NTC chief said under existing laws, the regulator can only impose a maximum of P200 per day until the violation is corrected. “The fine is very low,” he said.

Last year, the regulator had penalized Globe Telecom Inc. and its content providers Information Gateway Inc. and Paysetter International Inc., as well as Smart Communications Inc. and Entrainment Gateway Group for violation of rules and regulations on spam, as provided for in Memorandum Circular 03-03-2005-A.

Under the circular, telecom companies and content providers with more than 50 violations shall be fined P200 for every violation and will suffer cancellation of their provisional authority or certificate of public convenience or registration.

Companies found with 20 to 50 violations shall be fined P200 for every violation, and their licenses and permits canceled.

Telcos with violations of 20 or less will pay P200 for every violation.

The rules also prohibit the broadcast of messages between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., except for paid subscription services.

The NTC also bars telcos from charging subscribers or recipients of broadcast or push messages