SENATOR Nancy Binay on Monday urged the Senate to look into the recently reported delays in the delivery of text messages between Smart and Globe mobile subscribers.
“There is a need to protect mobile subscribers and to ensure that appropriate government agencies proactively and continually create a responsive regulatory environment for a viable, affordable, reliable and accessible telecommunications and information infrastructure and services to guarantee the welfare and protection of consumers,” said Binay.
Senate Resolution No. 246 cites complaints posted online by Smart mobile subscribers about the delays in sending and receiving text messages which they experienced on December 3.
These delays were explained by Smart Communications Inc. in an advisory released on the same date to have been caused by technical difficulties in the receiving network.
Globe Telecom also issued an advisory on social networking site Facebook, stating it was coordinating with the other network to resolve the issue.
While Smart clarified in its next advisory the delays were resolved later that night, Binay said it was still imperative the Senate meet with the concerned telecom companies and government agencies to discuss how the issue would be prevented in the future.
Binay said this was an issue that affects millions of Filipinos and should not be taken lightly. “We must remember that most of us depend on our mobile phones to reach out to our important contacts, especially our loved ones during emergencies,” she said.
“We have experienced network problems in the aftermath of strong typhoons before and we have seen the misery it has caused,” she said.
“I hope that my fellow senators will see this as an urgent matter that needs to be addressed as soon as possible,” Binay added.