MANILA, Philippines – Internet service providers (ISP) have agreed to change their advertising materials to show the average speed of their internet connection, a National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) officer said Tuesday.

“Lumalabas na kahapon na pumapayag ‘yung internet service providers na sabihin sa customers ‘yung average speed ng internet connection nila sa bawat lugar,” Engr. Edgargo Cabarios, director of the NTC Common Carriers Authorization Department, said.

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(Yesterday it was agreed upon that the internet service providers will disclose to their customers the average internet speed of their internet connection in each place.)

He was among those who attended a public consultation with telecommunications companies on Monday morning on the possible amendment of Memorandum Order no. 07-07-2011on the Minimum Speed of Broadband Connections. The consultation was held at the NTC building in Quezon City.

Cabarios said it was clear that the memorandum order had to be amended to strengthen its provisions.

He said the draft amended order will be presented to the stakeholders on March 6. If there are no objections, it will be promulgated before March ends.

The official said specifying the average speed of ISPs in each area will help inform consumers what to expect from their internet plan.

Cabarios pointed out that the maximum internet speed often advertised by companies may be experienced during off peak hours.

He said the NTC will measure the data rate reliability of the connections and compare it with the declared average speed.

Under the said memorandum, service providers are required to specify their minimum broadband or internet connection speed and service reliability.

Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, who was present at the hearing, said he was optimistic after the NTC committed that the new order will be released within March.

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He said among the issues discussed was the standard monitoring of the internet speed since each ISP has its own mechanism.

“What’s important is that all the stakeholders agreed that the NTC will be the official body that will monitor the internet speed per area. It’s now a matter of purchasing the equipment and providing the software,” the senator said.

He said the software should also be made available to consumers so they can check the official internet speed in their area.

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