Senator Lapid files bill preventing expiration of unused internet data

Philippine Senator Lito Lapid has filed a bill last Wednesday seeking to institutionalize a "roll-over data scheme" for all internet service providers (ISPs).

Photo from Senator Lito Lapid's FB page

The bill we all need?

If Senate Bill No. 1880 becomes law, unused internet data will no longer have an expiration period. Under this bill, all ISPs are mandated to implement a rollover data system.

Lapid explained that with the use of this scheme, unused data allocation from internet data packages or promos will not expire. Instead, the data will carry over to succeeding months until the end of the year.

At the end of the year, if there are still remaining unused data allocations, the same will be converted into rebates which may be used for future subscriptions.

This will allow subscribers to get the full value of money they have spent paying for the packages and promos.

Lapid noted that this is designed to prevent the common scenario wherein the subscribers will lose megabytes if not gigabytes of data just because the expiry date of the package or the promo had already passed.

This situation is quite unfortunate in light of our current data-hungry, internet-based world, especially for the poor who are forced to allocate their meager financial resources for internet subscriptions, Lapid added

To ensure compliance, Lapid is promising a fine of up to PHP 1 million against non-compliant ISPs. For repeat offenders, revoking licenses and franchises will be enforced.

Commonly, data packages in the Philippines have an expiry date of 3 days, 7 days, and up to 30 days.

What do you guys think?

Via: Inquirer