Atty. Teddy Kalaw finished this 3am yesterday. Hardworking dude.
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PICS COMMENDS NTC FOR ISSUING VoIP RULES
(August 24, 2005) Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Internet Commerce Society (PICS) commended today the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for issuing new guidelines deregulating the provision of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. The Guidelines, Memorandum Circular No. 05-08-2005, were finalized by the Commission yesterday, 23 August 2005, and will become effective 15 days after their publication in a major newspaper to be selected by the NTC.
Essentially, the new rules reiterate the NTC’s earlier finding contained in its Memorandum issued last 29 March 2005 that VoIP is a value-added service. Thus, unlike providers of traditional voice services, VoIP providers need not obtain a separate franchise from the Philippine Congress. Instead, VoIP providers will be allowed to register with the NTC and the provision of their services shall primarily be governed by contractual arrangements.
A significant number of Internet stakeholders have come to view VoIP as a breakthrough technology that will facilitate the use of the Internet as a cost-effective and interactive medium for communication between connected end users. The official position of PICS is that an enhanced and cheaper channel for personal communications will provide the general public with a truly competitive alternative to traditional voice services and thus, eventually, pave the way for significant growth in electronic commerce by Filipinos. PICS issued and filed a position paper to such effect with the NTC last year.
“We are very pleased that the NTC has adopted our position. There is no question that the deregulation of VoIP by the NTC will significantly benefit electronic commerce and all of our constituents eventually,” said PICS President Mary Anne D. Tolentino. “By facilitating greater access to the end user and enhancing competition for communications services, it is clear that the real winner here is the market and our economy,” she further explained.
VoIP deregulation is one of eight priority issues on the policy agenda of PICS. With the recognition by the NTC of VoIP as a value-added service and the provision of implementing guidelines for such, PICS will now shift its advocacy efforts in this key area to Congress, where PICS and other Internet stakeholder organizations hope to secure the passage of legislation further strengthening and enhancing such regulatory recognition.
To those with a position contrary to PICS, Ms. Tolentino clarified that “what we want to emphasize is the big picture. The foundation of our position is that deregulating VoIP will actually create more opportunities for everyone to virtually communicate, and this in turn will translate to more Filipinos using such opportunities to engage in electronic commerce. Eventually, we believe that the greater volume of economic transactions generated will benefit all stakeholders, such as consumers who will be provided with more choice, product and service providers who now have a bigger market to share, and even the Government in the form of more taxable income. In the long run, everyone wins”.
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(Via Migs) NTC memo's here, explanatory note's here.
(Via Dino) And speaking of VoIP, Google Talk just beta-launched today. Dino predicts that "One day, Google itself will wake up and give us all a call".
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Screw the Rules. Do What's Right.
Scoble: "When a customer is having pain you take care of the customer then and there. You worry about process later."
When I was with eTelecare, I would often ignore rules to help our customers -- often to my superiors' dismay. That's how I ended up piloting an experimental winback operations team which earned the codename Tenchu -- "Divine Justice" for our customers.
Here's to breaking the rules to do what's right.
When I was with eTelecare, I would often ignore rules to help our customers -- often to my superiors' dismay. That's how I ended up piloting an experimental winback operations team which earned the codename Tenchu -- "Divine Justice" for our customers.
Here's to breaking the rules to do what's right.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Sticks and Stones
(Via Steve) Bill Gates may be the Antichrist, but you have to give the Devil his due. Fortune's David Kirkpatrick points out that Microsoft handles the transparency brought by online media better than Google and Apple.
Google's stonewalling CNet for publishing Googled info on their CEO (Yes, you read that right -- Google's mad at someone for Googling something.). Apple harassed bloggers to reveal their sources of advanced info on Apple (Again, you read that right -- Apple's harassing Apple fans.).
In the meantime, Microsoft encourages its employees to blog -- and some of its over 600 bloggers criticize the company on occasion. Perhaps the flipside of Microsoft's legendary arrogance is the confidence to let people say what they want.
Google's stonewalling CNet for publishing Googled info on their CEO (Yes, you read that right -- Google's mad at someone for Googling something.). Apple harassed bloggers to reveal their sources of advanced info on Apple (Again, you read that right -- Apple's harassing Apple fans.).
In the meantime, Microsoft encourages its employees to blog -- and some of its over 600 bloggers criticize the company on occasion. Perhaps the flipside of Microsoft's legendary arrogance is the confidence to let people say what they want.
Crossover in the Walled City!
Along with a gaming boom, the Philippines has seen a cosplay boom over the last several months. Local cosplay celeb Jerry Polence got Filipino cosplayers together for a friendly photo shoot this weekend, at the historical Intramuros.
That's me in the center as Akio Ohtori, watchin' the killin' while chillin' like a villain. Game graphics by Chloebs de Asis (left) as Sakura Kasugano.
Check out more costumed craziness from the shoot here and here, photographed by Erving Go.
That's me in the center as Akio Ohtori, watchin' the killin' while chillin' like a villain. Game graphics by Chloebs de Asis (left) as Sakura Kasugano.
Check out more costumed craziness from the shoot here and here, photographed by Erving Go.
Robotic Gymnastics
Japanese researchers have developed an android agile enough to jump onto its feet after falling on its back. The fluidity of motion, caught on video, has to be seen to be believed.
They should put that fluid agility in the soft-skinned, attractive womanlike android recently developed by another team of Japanese researchers. Then you would have a female android combining beauty and grace.
Homework Was Never This Fun
CICT Chairman Ver Peña lauds gaming as a tool for e-learning.
Apprarently, the British have the same idea. Electronic Arts is about to test their games as learning tools in four UK schools.
NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) managing director Annika Small explains the project's goals and approach:
"We're very keen to look right across the genres and not rule out the education benefits of any of the different styles out there... We're looking at developing some of the softer skills that are needed for the 21st century, such as problem-solving, resilience, persistence and collaboration."
Apprarently, the British have the same idea. Electronic Arts is about to test their games as learning tools in four UK schools.
NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) managing director Annika Small explains the project's goals and approach:
"We're very keen to look right across the genres and not rule out the education benefits of any of the different styles out there... We're looking at developing some of the softer skills that are needed for the 21st century, such as problem-solving, resilience, persistence and collaboration."
