The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has ordered telecommunications firms not to charge additional fees on subscribers who still opt to receive their bills on paper.
This as NTC released on Wednesday, May 9, its guidelines which seek to implement electronic billing in the country.
Under Memorandum Circular 03-04-2018, telco subscribers are given the option to either be billed electronically or to receive the billing statements on paper, in the traditional manner.
Telcos should provide paper-printed bills free of any charge for those who prefer to receive them in that manner, the NTC memo said.
?If a subscriber opts to receive electronic bills, he/she shall provide an email address where the statement of account shall be forwarded. Telcos, however, may offer and/or use other mediums of communication, including Web portals, provided notice to subscribers are made,? the NTC said in a statement.
The subscribers have the responsibility to regularly check their email or other medium of communication selected if they choose to receive electronic bills.
Their statements of account shall be sent electronically upon agreement of both parties not later than thirty days from the end of each billing cycle.
Subscribers who are currently using electronic bills and other medium of communications through designated emails, online portal access and/or other designated electronic options have the option to return to receiving paper bills, subject to prior notice to, and procedures set by the concerned telco, the NTC stated. — Aerol John Pate?a (PNA)
