HEAP to channel Telecom profits to build schools and improve healthcare

Manila: A lawmaker has proposed channelling profits derived by local telecom firms from mobile phone text services to construct more schools and to improve health services in the country.

In filing Senate Bill 2402, Senator Richard Gordon said it is about time that Filipinos benefit from the profits earned by local communication firms from text messaging by using telecom profits.

Gordon proposed that the state get half of the profits earned by telecom firms providing text services. This amount would then be put into a special fund.

"Using 2007 estimates, there are 54 million mobile phone subscribers in the country. Assuming that every subscriber sends out an average of ten text messages daily at a cost of 1 peso (Dh0.08) per message, the fund's 50 per cent share in daily revenues would amount to 269.79 million pesos (Dh20.9 million)," he said.

Unlike the case in other countries where text message services are considered a value-added service by telecom firms, Filipinos pay a considerable price for text messaging.

Senator seeks to tap SMS for good causes
By Gilbert Felongco, Correspondent
Published: September 16, 2008, 23:52
http://www.gulfnews.com/world/Philippines/10245623.html