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Signature drive launched for Globe text promo rollback


Crying foul over a 100-percent rate hike, subscribers of Globe Telecom started over the weekend a signature drive seeking a rate rollback in its free-text promotion. As of Sunday morning, at least 174 subscribers had signed an online petition launched by militant consumer group TXTPower addressed to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). “We feel aggrieved and insulted by the sudden change, the lack of prior consultation or public hearing and the absence of complete information on the new Globe unlimited texting service approved by the Commission," read the petition, which is accessible online at www.petitiononline.com/posible/petition.html. The petition stemmed from the stoppage of Globe’s “Unlimitxt" promo in favor of a new promo has resulted in a 100 percent increase in unlimited texting rates. From P50.00 for five days, the rate is now P80.00 for four days. The petitioners said such a price hike should be taken back by Globe and authorization withdrawn by the NTC. Also, the petitioners urged the NTC to “closely study" all new promos that purportedly provide “wider choices" but turn out to be “so deceptively and cleverly crafted to sneak in a price hike." “We urge the NTC to take a pro-consumer stand vis-à-vis telecommunications corporations who are known for disrespecting and abusing subscribers through unfair promos, warrantless price hikes, arbitrary pricing, low quality services, and bad customer service," they said. The petition was a follow-up to a similar consumer complaint filed by TXTPower with the NTC last Feb. 1. TXTPower spokesman and co-convenor Anthony Ian Cruz said his group filed the complaint on behalf of those who sent it text messages to decry the sudden and warrantless rate hike. “We view this as a step backward for the telecom industry. The fast pace of technology should result in cheaper telecom services making this new rate hike questionable," said Cruz. “We note that no prior announcement was made by Globe. The company just imposed the rate hike without regard to the rights of subscribers and consumers," he added. -GMANews.TV

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