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Note: If you have disabled Flash (like I did), you can view the movie above by doing any of the following before viewing the video:
Looks like the NTC is actually listening to Internet broadband users now as they said that broadband internet services CAN be regulated.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) last week said that broadband Internet services can be regulated, not withstanding provisions in the law saying that value-added services (VAS) are deregulated.
I hope this means better Internet access for anyone who can afford to have one. However questions abound:
The last question lingers in mind as I try to be optimistic for betterment of the Philippine’s Internet access.
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The NTC believes, and continues to believe that broadband is a value added service. Value added service is another speak for, “add on.” NTC believes that this isn’t the telco’s main business, but their side business.
I think it’s time for the National Telecommunications Committee (NTC) to review its definition of Value-Added Service (VAS).
Value-added service provider (VAS) – an entity which, relying on the transmission, switching and local distribution facilities of the local exchange and inter-exchange operators, and overseas carriers, offers enhanced services beyond those ordinarily provided for by such carriers.
Even the TelCos themselves have shown that their mobile Internet business is NOT a VAS.
Let’s take a look at two of the Philippine’ s biggest TelCos: Read More
A few days ago, at the beginning of the Japan nuclear radiation crisis, a text was passed all around the Philippines stating that at a particular time of the day, it will rain acid due to the radiation coming from Japan (or something to that effect). Of course this was immediately debunked by scientists, yet a lot of people believed it: it even caused the President of a University to suspend classes!
As expected, the government’s response (coming from Justice Secretary de Lima) was for the National Telecommunications Commission to find the source of the text. Read More
My wish is to see in my lifetime is free energy powering free software in a free world.
Right now all I can have is Free Software since it costs nothing to use it (if you don’t count the electric and Internet bill that is). I’ve decided to use Trisquel-Slaine GNU/Linux because it is on par with Ubuntu’s latest release: Maverick. It is Linux blob-free and uses less proprietary software than Canonical’s Ubuntu. I’ve also implemented a Mono Apt-pin to ensure that I won’t accidentally download an application that depends on it. I’m thinking of a way to get a totally free hardware/BIOS (via Leemote Yeelong laptop) for my computing needs. As usual this needs money…sigh. Read More
I agree with PNoy not considering the Freedom of Information Bill as a priority because there are bigger problems in the Philippines that should be tackled first.
If you take a look at the LEDAC Meeting notes, the prioritized bills look like it was chosen based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Read More
The NBI is proposing a bill that will allow regulating devices that connect to the Internet. This includes the following: laptops, desktops, SIM cards, WiFi routers, modems, etc.
At least two Senators have already commented against this, yet I don’t think they can see the possible problems that can arise out of this. Besides the reasons I mentioned before, I am against this idea as it is a stepping stone to the government controlling the ISPs. For those who think this is a far fetched idea, where do you think all those devices go to connect to the Internet? Read More
“Hell is full of good intentions or desires.”
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
The Registration for prepaid SIM cards Bill, if approved by the Philippines Congress, is just begging to be abused by both the government sector and crime syndicates.
Although the intention of this bill is pretty obvious and admirable, we also need to look into the possibility that this won’t work at all. Let’s take a look at how the bill says it will be done: