PLDT, Smart might not charge for calls to 911, 8888

Subscribers of PLDT and its subsidiary, Smart, might just be able to breathe a sigh of relief if they ever find themselves in an emergency as the telecommunication giant is willing to give people free access to hotlines 911 and 8888, but only if the government says so.

Also read: Think before you call: Globe charges P5 for 911 calls

 

DID THEY ONE-UP GLOBE TELECOM? Probably not, because they will only give free access if the government says so. File photo.

 

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Ramon Isberto, head of PLDT/Smart Public Affairs said “If the government will instruct us to make it free, no problem.” He added that calls will be charged based on regular rates for fixed phones and airtime usage for mobile calls.

He also said that PLDT will attend a meeting on Thursday, August 7, with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other agencies to talk about how to handle issues like avoiding prank calls. He added that charging rates might be brought up during the meeting.

Isberto told the PNA that receiving prank calls is the main problem in having a hotline number. The current hotline 117 is free for both fixed and mobile phone calls. It had prank calls coming in 95 to 97 percent of the time, most likely due to its free access.

He emphasized that the issue of prank calls should be addressed. “What if someone in need dials 911 and yet he/she can’t access the hotline because there are many prank callers in the line or trying to access it at the same time?” he said.

Also read: BFP now ready for 911 response

 

Source: Philippine News Agency, Yugatech, InterAksyon.com