PLDT to charge for data transmission via its landlines Riza T. Olchondra Inquirer
December 27, 2006
THE PHILIPPINE Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) has said it will start charging fees for data transmission using its basic telephone landlines.
Through what it calls the alternate voice data line (AVD), subscribers who use the same basic telephone line for voice calls and data transmission will be required to connect a special data or voice access device to the basic telephone line.
PLDT said the service will provide a secure means to automatically process and authorize credit card transactions, real-time. One common use for AVD is credit card verification for business subscribers.
"We have observed the increasing use of the basic line for data transmission originating from multiple attachments of data terminals, imposing additional load to the (network). To protect basic service quality and network integrity, it is necessary to price said attachments to appropriately manage and control additional load that is riding on the basic service line," PLDT said in an application that was recently approved by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
The regulator said it approved the new service in line with the government thrust to encourage more customer-friendly and affordable telecom services in the country.
PLDT said it will charge a monthly service fee of P300, which also covers VAT, for the basic AVD service.
An additional fee of P50 to P500 will be added to the charge for connecting an AVD device for residential use and P100 to P1,000 for business use. Other charges will be added for additional services that will use the same line.
