Press Release
August 7, 2009

Gordon proposes toll-free hotline, double opt-in system
for mobile phone subscribers

Senator Richard J. Gordon (Ind.) has recommended that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) put up a consumer help desk and toll-free hotline to enable mobile phone subscribers to immediately report problems in the telecommunications system.

Gordon also proposed that the NTC require mobile phone content providers to come up with a double opt-in system for subscription services so that consumers are aware of the amount they will have to pay and the frequency of the services they are about to subscribe into.

"What we want to do is protect the public by having a toll-free hotline by the NTC. For example if a person receives spam text messages, he could call the NTC, who should immediately investigate and must have the authority to cut down the number and even track it down," he said.

The senator explained that he is not convinced that the NTC should eliminate promotional messages altogether because it is also good for business in the country and provides employment, but it has to ensure that the public has a recourse if and when content providers become abusive.

Gordon said the NTC should require carriers or content providers to identify their names or the names of the companies providing the services in all messages sent to subscribers. These carriers should put up a toll-free number and a zero tariff short code wherein subscribers, even if they have no load, can text or call to cancel or quit from any service..

Meanwhile, the double opt-in system would require content providers to regularly inform subscribers of the services they are about to subscribe into to make sure that they are opting in correctly.

"What I am suggesting is, anything the content provider sends, the name of the company providing the service should be indicated in that message so that the public, now using the NTC hotline, can have a course of action against these people," Gordon said.

"The carriers should also undertake a massive tri-media public information campaign clearly explaining to the public how to opt-out from services and promoting therein the short code and toll-free number," he added.

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