Philippines’ regulator announces new ‘per pulse’ billing

The Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper reports that the regulator, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), unveiled a new ‘per pulse’ billing system on Saturday, meaning that the country’s mobile phone users can expect fairer charges for voice calls. Although the new scheme will not materially change the per-minute cost of cellular phone calls, it will reduce the cost of calls lasting less than minute. Under the new regime, telcos will be allowed to charge a ‘flag down’ rate of PHP3 for the first two pulses, equivalent to twelve seconds, while each subsequent pulse (of six seconds) will be charged accordingly. The new billing scheme took effect at 12:01a.m yesterday for on-net calls, the paper said.