Bam urges NTC to explain delay in releasing Internet standards

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Bam Aquino on Tuesday called on the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to explain why the agency has not yet issued the memorandum circular on the quality of Internet standards.

Aquino noted that six months have passed since the NTC committed to release a memorandum circular but until now it has not yet delivered on its promise.

“The NTC must provide a detailed and acceptable report on its recent moves to improve the country's Internet connection service as the approval of their 2016 budget heavily depends on that,” Aquino said.

NTC promised to come up with a memorandum circular that will set Internet quality service in the country, including the minimum speed for broadband and DSL connections.

However, since NTC has not yet fulfilled its promise, Aquino described the failed commitment as “detrimental to the welfare of millions of Internet users in the country.”

Aquino has been investigating the slow and expensive Internet in the country for a year now. 

The probe encouraged telecommunication companies to embrace IP peering that will help speed up the opening of websites. The Department of Justice also released guidelines against misleading Internet print, TV and radio advertisements.

Aquino was recently appointed as one of the vice chair of the Senate Committee on Finance in charge of scrutinizing budget of agencies including NTC, Department of Trade and Industry and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.