Bill allowing unused data rollover filed in Senate
A BILL mandating telecommunications providers to roll over unused prepaid or postpaid internet data has been filed in the Senate.
Senate Bill No. 1671, filed by Senator Rafael T. Tulfo, seeks to remove the expiration period for prepaid load credit and allow unused postpaid data to roll over into the succeeding month.
“This ensures that consumers are able to fully utilize the services they have already paid for, rather than losing credits or data because of fixed expiration periods,” Mr. Tulfo said in the explanatory note.
He added that the proposed measure also supports wider access to digital services, notably for users who rely on connectivity for their livelihood, education, and communication.
Mr. Tulfo said that all unused data from postpaid subscribers at the end of the year may be used as rebates, for the succeeding year’s subscription fees.
The measure states that all data from a prepaid subscription which remained unrenewed within five days will be considered consumed.
The bill exempts subscribers who have availed of any unlimited internet data package without a data cap.
Any internet service providers who fail to comply with the measure will be fined P50,000 per violation per subscriber. Repeated violations will also be sanctioned with the revocation or cancellation of their license, registration, or franchise. — Adrian H. Halili
