The cost of texting

Q. Mon-Mon Santos of Quezon City writes: "I’ve been a cell phone user and texter for a couple of years now and so are a number of my friends. From simple text messaging, downloading of ring tones and phone logos to mobile banking and enhanced personalized services, the cell phone really has a lot of uses.

"Once, during a get-together, we argued about the actual cost of sending SMS or texting. Most of us said texting to the same network (e.g. Smart to Smart and Globe to Globe) cost only P1.00 but others argued that sending SMS via different network (e.g. Smart to Globe and Globe to Smart) cost P2.00, P2.50, P3.00, P3.50, and P4.00. So, which is which?

"To make it more interesting, I did a survey on the costing among 100 persons. I asked them if texting to the same network really cost P1.00. Here is the surprising result: Yes, 17; no, 73; don’t know, 10.

"Since DTI, I believe, is the agency that handles proper pricing and promotions, including text games, may I know what is the real cost of text messaging? Also, what are the rules in providing free text?

A. Mobile telecommunication providers are under the jurisdiction of the National Telecommunications Commission. For problems and concerns, you may contact NTC through its website www.ntc.gov.ph. under the feedback icon.

However, we did some research and these information might be helpful.

For regular text messaging, the basic charge per 160 alpha-numeric character message via SMS or short message service is only P1.00. According to mobile phone network operators Smart Communications and Globe Telecom, it costs the same whether the same or different network is used.

For special SMS or value-added service, the rate is P2.50 per message, except under Globe’s postpaid, which is P2.00 per message.

In the case of free text under prepaid subscription, Globe provides 50 free text every month, depending on the last digit of your cell phone number (you may refer to your SIMpack for its details) as long as it has a remaining balance. This free text is applicable only for Globe to Globe text messaging.

Smart allocates free text, depending on the denominator of the Smart Buddy cell card the prepaid subscriber is reloading. For a P300 card, the free text is 33; for P500, its 83; and for P1,000, its 250. Upon reloading, all text messages will first be deducted from the allocated free text.

In the case of postpaid card, free text depends on the subscribed plan.

Rates of text promos vary from a low of P2.50 to as high as P15.00, depending on the type of text game the user is joining.

(You may send your consumer complaints and comments to the Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection, DTI Bldg., 361 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City. Call us at our consumer hotlines at 896-5740 or 890-4938 or e-mail us at www.e-reklamo.net.ph)