Welcome to the Blogosphere, PCIJ!

April 4, 2005

I just got word that the folks at Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) have set up a blog. In my view, this is a significant development in journalism because they hope to blog about their work in a way that I hope other media outlets would. Here’s what they say:

“Inside PCIJ” hopes to be just that — a window through which readers can look into how we work. By opening up and encouraging discussion on our methods, our sources of information, and the values and motives that inform our work, we hope to promote more transparency in investigative journalism. Through this window, we aim to make ourselves more accountable to our readers and to sustain a lively conversation with them.

Welcome, PCIJ! May your participation in the blogosphere contribute to transparency in and further growth of Philippine journalism. Mabuhay kayo!

Where the NTC VoIP Guidelines will most likely fail

So, I’ve taken the time to check out the NTC’s draft rules on vocie over IP (VoIP) and it’s now clear to me that even if the telcos don’t sue in court to delay its implementation, they have other levers under the draft rules.

The draft rules declare VoIP as being a value-added service (VAS) - a term that is indirectly defined in the Public Telecoms Policy Act as an “enchanced service” not usually offered by telcos. Since that law also permits VAS providers to operate without a franchise, this means that VoIP providers need only register with the NTC. Excellent.

Here’s the rub: Section 4 of the draft rules requires the VAS provider to enter into an agreement with the telcos before offering VoIP. The agreement is intended to cover VoIP access and interconnection charges. Interestingly enough, Section 4 harks back to Exec. Order No. 59 which mandated interconnection between the Telcos and we remember what happened there. For all of EO 59’s language about mandated interconnection, the fact of the matter is that NTC did not vigorously require interconnection. I recall the Smart-Globe interconnection problem that took months (if not years) to resolve and then only with the intervention of the President. Even in cases where interconnection was established (say between PLDT and BayanTel), the service was inadequate. (more…)

Why is PAGCOR going to the NTC for SMS Gambling?

While trolling about the NTC website looking for the VoIP draft rules, I chanced upon this “Notice of Public Consultation” issued at the request of PAGCOR for the issuance of short-access codes for PAGCOR-approved games of chance.

I don’t get it. (more…)