Calls and texts should be cheaper according to NTC’s memorandum circular

If you are those who prefer texting and calling over using Viber, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger, here’s some good news: the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has ruled out that voice call rates should be cut down to Php 0.50/minute, while text rates should be down to Php 0.05/text.

Currently, voice calls and texts have a rate of Php 2.50 and Php 0.15 respectively.

NTC reduces interconnection charges for calls, text messages. For calls, P2.50/min rate is reduced to 50 centavos/min. For text, 15 centavos/text rate is reduced to 5 centavos. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/vwgTKZ4RSH

— Tina PanganibanPerez (@tinapperez) July 19, 2018

In a memorandum circular issued by NTC today, the reduced charges are in line with how other countries charge text and calls. In addition, the basis of the new charges came from the average cost of interconnection for both voice calls and text in the last three years.

The push for lower interconnection rates should help the government in bringing a third telco player to the country. There have been no updates about the third telco player since we wrote an article about it last May.

The said memorandum circular also orders all telco companies to comply with the new rates within 15 days of the circular’s publication.