Capping The Broadband Usage Of Subscribers

In the guise of improving the quality of broadband services in the country, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will allow Internet service providers (ISPs) to cap the daily volume of data allowed per user. In a revised draft Memorandum Order (MO) on Minimum Speed of Broadband Connections, the NTC said that broadband service providers should specify the minimum broadband connection speed and service reliability, as well as the service rates in their advertisements, flyers, brochures and service and legal agreements. The regulating body, in the draft order said that the service offers should specify the service rates for a minimum broadband or Internet connection speed and the service reliability. The volume cap however should come with a service reliability of at least 80 percent.

The various online forums frequented by i-café owners and other concerned Internet users are now abuzz with discussions regarding this NTC draft MO. In an ongoing thread at ULOP Forum, the i-café owners among its members are concerned particularly on Item 5 which states that “Service providers may set the maximum volume of data allowed per subscriber/user per day.” This provision can really hurt the i-café business because, if implemented, it could only mean additional operating cost that has a very slim chance of getting passed-on to their customers.

While the new rules may really result to better quality internet connection, many broadband subscribers by way of their postings in various blogs and forums are against the implementation of the broadband cap. Broadband subscribers see this proposed rules as another favor granted to ISPs by NTC. The regulatory body has always been conceived as leaning towards the side of the telcos to the detriment of their subscribers. Are you ready for metered internet connection? Will you be paying more if the capping of broadband data usage gets implemented?