Toll-free hotline for mobile phone subscribers proposed

Senator Richard J. Gordon (Ind.) has recommended that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) put up a consumer help desk and toll-free hotline to enable mobile phone subscribers to immediately report problems concerning their carriers.

Gordon also proposed that the NTC require mobile phone content providers to come up with a double opt-in system for subscription services so that consumers are aware of the amount they have to pay and the frequency of the services they are about to subscribe to.

“What we want to do is protect the public by having a toll-free hotline by the NTC. For example, if a person receives spam text messages, he could call the NTC, who should immediately investigate and must have the authority to cut down the number and even track it down,” he said.

The senator explained that he is not convinced that the NTC should eliminate promotional messages altogether because it is also good for business in the country and provides employment, but it has to ensure that the public has a recourse if and when content providers become abusive.

Gordon said the NTC should require carriers or content providers to identify their names or the names of the companies providing the services in all messages sent to subscribers. These carriers should also put up a toll-free number and a zero tariff short code wherein subscribers, even if they have no load, can text or call to cancel or quit from any service.

By ROLLY T. CARANDANG - Manila Bulletin