DICT eyes increasing penalties vs telcos

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is eyeing to slap telcos with fines of up to P2 million per day if they fail to meet their advertised internet speeds. 

File photo: DICT logo

This was tackled during the Senate's plenary debates on the proposed 2021 budget of the agency. 

Senator Grace Poe raised this issue, saying internet providers were not delivering their promised data speeds. 

Answering on behalf of DICT Chief Gregorio Honasan, Senator Panfilo Lacson said the DICT was looking to increase the penalty to P2 million per day to force telcos to improve their services. 

They are recommending an increase to P2 million per day so that telcos will be compelled to deliver, Panfilo said. 

He noted the government is currently imposing P200 per day for any violations of the terms and conditions of public service, as provided under Section 21 of the Public Services Act which was signed in 1936. 

Panfilo said there was a need to amend the said law to increase the penalties. 

Source: Manila Bulletin