Call-All-You-Can, But Call Fairly.

I got my first cellphone when I was in 1st year high school. It was a Nokia 3210, which at that time was one of the coolest and most popular cellphone. Since then, I have been a Prepaid Globe subscriber. Every now and then Globe comes up with promos, which I, as a loyal subscriber avail of, thinking I could save load from those. Lately however, I often get disappointed when I try availing of their offers. First, it was very hard to register. Second, the confirmation takes so long. Third, it was very hard to call/text i.e. it was always “network busy” when I try to call or the text messages are delayed. Lastly, the “Unlimited” Promos were not really unlimited.

I’ve read and heard news about Globe subscribers being “suspended” either by being blocked from availing of the promo or by having their numbers deactivated because they allegedly “abused” its use. It appears that Globe has a Fair use Policy regarding their Unlimited Services (i.e. calls, text, internet surfing). Globe’s Fair Use Policy states that:
“..call and text offers are applicable for person to person transactions only. They are not intended and should not be used for commercial purposes. Call and text offers must not be abused by the subscribers (i.e. subscribers must not make an unreasonable number of calls or make unreasonably prolonged calls.)”

So what’s the point of calling those promos “UNLIMITED”?

I understand that it would be very difficult for Globe to monitor and implement the promo if their millions of subscribers avail of the service at the same time. But then again, why offer the same if they could not make it happen? I don’t think Globe is incapable of doing so. Even assuming that they are not capable, aren’t people entitled to maximize the use of the offer which they labeled as unlimited? Otherwise, their offer would be a mere scam, designed to deceive people.

I also understand that those unlimited offers might in a way cut the telecom providers’ revenues. But they need to do such a marketing strategy in order to maintain their customer base. They should, however, beware because FREE calls are coming! This is of course, courtesy of internet technology, particularly Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP.

Indeed, unlimited services are prone to abuse and misuse. But that is the risk which Globe and other telecom providers assume if they offer unlimited services. One cannot expect that all users would act responsibly. Anyway, the service is not free, so what they offer, they should give. Customers are not always right but they have a right to get what they paid for.


-- Gen S. (6)