Explain expiring loads, telcos told

LAWMAKERS yesterday slammed telecommunication companies for their scheme of putting expiration dates on cellular loads.

The House committee on information and communication technology asked telecom firms to submit within 10 days a written explanation on the scheme.

Representatives of Globe, Smart and Sun Cellular failed to convince the solons of their marketing strategies.

Makati Rep. Teddy Locsin questioned the short life of loads, saying it is not economical for mobile subscribers.

“Why is it that cellular phone loads have a short shelf life? Such scheme forces people to make 50 phone calls so that they will consume the value of the load they have paid,” Locsin said.

Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino shared the same view and asked why there should be an expiration date for pre-paid phone load.

The solons raised the complaint of many people that a P20 load should be consumed within 24 hours otherwise it will be forfeited.

Meanwhile, the P100 load should only be used within 15 days while a P300 card only lasts for two months.

“Why 90 days, why not six months? We have to consume it or else the money goes to them, hindi naman parang gatas na napapanis ito, electronic naman ito,” Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla said.

The lawmakers said this scheme means more profit for telcos.

Lawyer Froilan Castelo of Globe said the expiring load balance was part of the design of the network to avoid clogging. Lawyer Roy Ibay of Smart said there is a “financial and technical explanation” to the scheme.

Meanwhile, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon demanded that telcos submit the actual cost of calls.

Solons said that in these hard times, telecoms should not make huge profits out of electronic loads, which is considered the cheapest form of communication. By: Jester P. Manalastas - Journal Online