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TXTPower asks NTC to bring back Globe unlimited texting service

At around 1:00 pm today, TXTPower submitted via email to the National Telecommunications Commission a three-page letter-complaint asking the telecom regulator over the stoppage of unlimited texting service for the second time this year.

The full text of the TXTPower complaint follows:

Dec. 18, 2007

The Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners
National Telecommunications Commission
BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City

Dear Sirs:

This is a letter-complaint of TXTPower versus Globe Telecom on the matter of the cancellation and stoppage on Dec. 15 or thereabouts of the company’s unlimited texting service dubbed Unlitxt. 

On the Complainant

TXTPower, represented by the undersigned, is a non-profit organization registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission with Company Registration Number CN200704619 issued on March 22, 2007.

Since its founding in 2001, TXTPower has filed complaints, position papers and statements and made representations for and in behalf of subscribers of telecommunications companies (including Globe Telecom) be it before the Commission, the House of Representatives and other fora.

As a matter of fact, the Commission received and acted favorably on a TXTPower complaint dated Jan. 12, 2007. Allow us to quote in full the Commission’s letter-reply to said complaint:

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City

January 22, 2007

ANTHONY IAN M. CRUZ
Spokesperson
TXTPower

Dear Mr. Cruz:

This refers to your letter requesting the Commission to stop Piltel and Smart from implementing the expiration of free SMS together with the airtime on all e-load and regular top-up transactions effective 15 January 2007.

Please be informed that the Commission has directed Smart and Piltel to hold in abeyance the implementation of the expiration of free SMS together with the airtime on all e-load and regular top-up transactions until further orders from the Commission effective 15 January 2007. Copy of the letter to Smart and Piltel is attached for your perusal.

Thank you very much.

Very truly yours.
(Sgd.) ABRAHAM ABESAMIS
Commisioner

In this prior case, the Commission found merit in the TXTPower complaint, sans questions on our legal standing to file such a complaint. We urge the Commission to hear the complaint and to reject any attempt by Globe Telecom to resort to legal gobbledygook aimed at spreading the false and dangerous notion that consumers and groups of consumers need high-paying lawyers when seeking redress before the Commission.

The Complaint

We in TXTPower wish to formally file this complaint against the cancellation or stoppage by Globe Telecom of its unlimited texting service (Unlitxt) over the weekend of Dec. 15, 2007 on the following grounds:

  1. Subscribers were not properly informed of such cancellation and stoppage of service.
  2. Unlitxt is Globe Telecom’s replacement for Unlimitxt which was removed on Feb. 1, 2007 and is the subject of a pending complaint filed before the Commission on even date.
  3. Acting on the TXTPower complaint dated Feb. 1, 2007, the Commission issued on Feb. 5, 2007 an order addressed to Globe Telecom enjoining the company to hold in abeyance the withdrawal of Unlimitxt and the introduction of Unlitxt.
  4. In reaction to Globe Telecom’s refusal to heeds its Feb. 5, 2007 order, the Commission issued on Feb. 7 a show-cause with cease-and-desist order against Globe Telecom.
  5. From Feb. 5 and Feb. 7 of this year until it cancelled and stopped its Unlitxt service, Globe Telecom ignored and disobeyed the two orders of the Commission to the detriment of subscribers and complainants. That is over ten months of defiance against the Commission’s orders.
  6. The Commission has not formally withdrawn said orders.
  7. The cancellation or stoppage of both Unlimitxt and Unlitxt goes against the pronouncements of the Commission and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) of encouraging telecommunications companies to offer lower rates.

We in TXTPower, with counsel, are prepared to explain our complaint before the
Commission en banc.

The Prayers

We pray that the Commission:

  1. Order Globe to implement a roll back the original Unlimitxt rates in force prior to Feb. 1, 2007; and
  2. Compel Globe to follow the Commission’s orders dated Feb. 5, 2007 and Feb. 7, 2007

TXTPower also prays for such other and further relief as may be just and equitable in the premises.

You may reach the undersigned through mobile number 0917-9751092 or through [email protected].

Thank you very much.

Respectfully yours,

(Sgd.) ANTHONY IAN M. CRUZ
President
TXTPower