REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

OUSE

EPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Resolution No. 407

Introduced by

Kabataan Party-List Rep. Raymond V. PalatinoA RESOLUTIONDIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION ANDCOMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OFLEGISLATION, ON THE QUALITY OF BROADBAND INTERNET SERVICESDELIVERED BY COMMERCIAL TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES

WHEREAS

, the Philippines, according to various estimates, currently has as manyas thirty million internet users, many of whom are connected via self-proclaimedbroadband services;

WHEREAS,

despite the exorbitant rates being charged by telecommunicationcompanies for broadband internet access, thousands of Filipino internet users havecomplained against the substandard services delivered by such companies, from limitedcoverage to internet speeds not truly manifesting its marketed claims of speed, amongothers;

WHEREAS

, when frustrated Filipino internet users opt out of such substandardservices, they are often virtually penalized by telecommunication companies through theimposition of exorbitant pre-termination fees;

WHEREAS

, in other countries where there exists a legal and imposed standard onbroadband internet services, the Philippines currently has none, allowingtelecommunication companies to promise broadband speeds, charge accordingly, but failto deliver such claims;

WHEREAS

, all telecommunication companies operate under franchises grantedto them by the Government, through Congress, under the premise that they utilize apublic good, the airwaves, and operate a vital component of modern life,communications;