REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Resolution No. 407

Introduced by Kabataan Party-List Rep. Raymond V. Palatino

A RESOLUTION
DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF
LEGISLATION, ON THE QUALITY OF BROADBAND INTERNET SERVICES
DELIVERED BY COMMERCIAL TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES

WHEREAS, the Philippines, according to various estimates, currently has as many

as thirty million internet users, many of whom are connected via self-proclaimed
broadband services;

WHEREAS, despite the exorbitant rates being charged by telecommunication

companies for broadband internet access, thousands of Filipino internet users have
complained against the substandard services delivered by such companies, from limited
coverage to internet speeds not truly manifesting its marketed claims of speed, among
others;

WHEREAS, when frustrated Filipino internet users opt out of such substandard
services, they are often virtually penalized by telecommunication companies through the
imposition of exorbitant pre-termination fees;

WHEREAS, in other countries where there exists a legal and imposed standard on
broadband internet services, the Philippines currently has none, allowing
telecommunication companies to promise broadband speeds, charge accordingly, but fail
to deliver such claims;

WHEREAS, all telecommunication companies operate under franchises granted

to them by the Government, through Congress, under the premise that they utilize a
public good, the airwaves, and operate a vital component of modern life,
communications;
 WHEREAS, the Government has the power to regulate the telecommunications
industry and the franchises telecommunication companies operate under, through its
agencies such as the National Telecommunications Commission;

WHEREAS, the National Telecommunications Commission, despite its regulatory

duties and responsibilities and despite the myriad of complaints from frustrated
customers of telecommunication companies offering broadband internet services, has
failed to implement standards that would compel telecommunication companies to
operate within a standard commensurate to the privilege granted to them by the People;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the

House Committee on Information and Communications Technology conduct an inquiry,
on the standard of broadband internet services in the country by calling upon the
National Telecommunications Commission, all telecommunication companies, and
various consumer groups to a hearings in order that the Congress may create the
appropriate laws necessary in order to set a legal and demandable standard to uplift the
quality of internet services in the country;

Adopted,

HON. RAYMOND V. PALATINO

Representative, Kabataan Party-list