Prepaid Loads Now Have Longer Validity

I woke up this morning and I needed to load my Globe number with prepaid credits to SMS a friend. Now a 40 peso load have a 15-day expiration, (plus 20 free text to all networks as per Globe's promo) due to the NTC Memorandum Circular No. 03-07-2009, loads will have longer expiration or validity periods.

Credits worth P10 or lower will be valid for three days from the previous one-day expiration. Loads more than P10 up to P50 can be used for 15 days while credits worth more than P50 up to P100 will remain valid for 30 days.

Loads more than P100 to P150 will expire at the end of 45 days while credits of more than P150 to P250 will last for 60 days. More than P250 to P300 will remain valid for 75 days while credits worth more than P300 will last for 120 days.

This is great news for consumers (most BPO workers are on a prepaid service) as they will can now buy lesser load values without worrying that it will just expire within the day. I mean, load is not like food that is perishable and has a shelf life, and big telco companies have been ripping us off.

The everyday dependence of the Filipinos to communicate through cellphones, is not only limited to texting or calling their friends or loved ones, but is also used for business activities. In the long run, a cheaper cost in telecommunications is vital to spur economic activities that can help us withstand the recessionary effects of the global financial crisis.

Enough of the National Telecommunications Commission - big telcos connivance. I believe that a new law needs to be passed in congress to better regulate the telecom industry. The abolition of the NTC is very welcome for me, and form a new body that will truly represent the welfare of the public.