Cellphone firms urged to compete

Cell phone companies should focus on competing effectively through innovative services rather than filing complaints with regulators.

"With our various all-day texting promos, we have found innovative ways to meet our subscribers’ demand for flat-rate SMS packages without sacrificing the quality of our network service," said Smart Communications spokesperson Ramon Isberto.

"That’s what Globe should do, instead of filing complaints with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) that aim to deny our subscribers the very real benefits of our 25/8 offerings," he added. "The real competition is for the hearts and minds of subcribers — it’s not in the legal arena. They should come up with their own services that offer real value to their subcribers. In short, compete, don’t complain."

Globe Telecoms had earlier asked the NTC to issue a cease-and-desist order against the "All Day Texting 258 Call+Text Promo" of Smart and Pilipino Telephone Corp. (Piltel), claiming that these promos constitute predatory pricing.

Under the scheme, Smart and Piltel subscribers who avail of the promo can send an unlimited number of text messages and make a single five-minute voice call to other Smart and Piltel subscribers in a 24-hour period for a fee of only P20.

"The legal issues are being tackled by our lawyers. What is undeniable is the fact that our 25/8 promos genuinely benefit our over 21 million subscribers. To stop the promos would do them a great disservice," Isberto said.

A cease-and-desist order would also run counter to the NTC’s recent rulings in favor of consumer benefit.