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	<description>Text Messaging News in the Philippines</description>
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		<title>How to receive emergency text alerts</title>
		<link>https://news.txtbuff.com/how-to-receive-emergency-text-alerts/</link>
					<comments>https://news.txtbuff.com/how-to-receive-emergency-text-alerts/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Caroline Siñel]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Apr 2025 05:23:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[GSM/SMS Technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SMS in Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emergency]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.txtbuff.com/?p=297</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Do you want to how to receive emergency text alerts on your mobile phone? Ever wonder how they work? In the Philippines, we have this Emergency Cell Broadcast System (ECBS) which is designed to send emergency alerts and warnings to mobile devices via cell broadcast services (CBS). This is currently being operated by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) with the help of local telecommunication companies as they are required to do so in compliance with Republic Act 10639, also known as the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act. This law was created to alert the citizens thru mobile phone of any upcoming disasters and calamities nearby. Originally, NDRRMC is using CBS instead of SMS for sending out information. CBS messages contains localized emergency alerts that are flashed on the screen together with a warning sound. The messages are initially crafted by NDRRMC using a computer then chooses the target location where the messages will be sent. ECBS was first tested on Jan 2017 by local telecommunication companies. Then, it was finally launched on Mar 2017 by NDRRMC and Smart Communications. Sending messages thru CBS is faster compared to SMS because it has its own dedicated broadcast channel, [...]]]></description>
		
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">297</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>List of emergency load services in the Philippines</title>
		<link>https://news.txtbuff.com/emergency-load-services-in-the-philippines/</link>
					<comments>https://news.txtbuff.com/emergency-load-services-in-the-philippines/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Caroline Siñel]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Nov 2021 12:06:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[SMS Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emergency]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lists]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.txtbuff.com/?p=295</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Globe and Smart started offering these emergency load services a long time ago. These services were called Globe GTSOS and Smart SOS, respectively. TNT also started offering their own emergency load service called SakloLOAD. These services functions the same way as a text loan where it allows subscribers to instantly borrow load, especially in cases of emergency. Once they register to the service, they will be able to send text messages even if they have zero load. There are different packages/variants to choose from and these are the ones offered by Smart, TNT, and Globe. Smart SOS Load this service is available to all Smart Prepaid and Bro Prepaid subscribers SIM must be 30 days old to start borrowing load, dial *123#, select Balance and Services, choose Smart Credit and choose your preferred package to check remaining loan balance, text SOS&#60;space&#62;BAL and send to 7676 for more details, kindly visit Smart SOS Load. Purpose Variant Description Call and Text P10 5 texts, 2 mins call to Smart/TNT for P10 Calls P6.50 1 min call to Smart/TNT for P6.50 Texts P7 9 Texts to Smart/TNT for P7 Texts P5 9 Texts to all networks for P5 Texts P4 9 Texts to [...]]]></description>
		
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">295</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>What is Mobile Number Portability?</title>
		<link>https://news.txtbuff.com/what-is-mobile-number-portability/</link>
					<comments>https://news.txtbuff.com/what-is-mobile-number-portability/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Caroline Siñel]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 01 Oct 2021 03:24:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[SMS in Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SMS Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DITO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Globe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MNP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Smart]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.txtbuff.com/?p=293</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Mobile Number Portability (MNP) allows customers to retain their mobile phone numbers even after switching network providers or changing subscriptions from postpaid to prepaid and vice versa. MNP is being implemented by TCI or Telecommunications Connectivity Inc. (TCI), a joint venture formed by DITO, Globe, and Smart to enable number porting services in the Philippines in compliance with Republic Act No. 11202 or the Mobile Number Portability Act. The number porting services are classified into two categories: 1) Internal Porting &#8211; changing subscriptions from postpaid to prepaid and vice versa 2) External Porting &#8211; switching from one mobile phone network to the other Globe started implementing its internal porting service earlier this year Apr 21, while Smart started July 21. The external porting service, on the other hand, was initially tested among three networks, Globe, Smart, and DITO on July 14 and has just been implemented on Sept 30. In order for MNP to be seamless and smooth as possible, Globe, PLDT/Smart, and DITO, in cooperation with NTC, have chosen Syniverse Technologies as their mobile number portability service provider (MNPSP). Syniverse Technologies will provide the technical infrastructure and serve as the bridging company between mobile networks regarding porting. However, porting [...]]]></description>
		
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">293</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Pay SSS contributions thru GCash mobile app</title>
		<link>https://news.txtbuff.com/pay-sss-thru-gcash-mobile-app/</link>
					<comments>https://news.txtbuff.com/pay-sss-thru-gcash-mobile-app/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Caroline Siñel]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Jul 2021 16:33:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Mobile Banking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Globe GCash]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[instructional]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.txtbuff.com/?p=272</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[SSS members can use GCash mobile app to pay for contributions. Payments are posted in real-time and there are no transaction fees. Generate PRN thru SSS Mobile App (click on the images to expand) Login to SSS mobile app. Look for Generate PRN at the bottom of the screen. At the upper right hand corner, click Create. Click Generate. The next screen will show you the options you have for your SSS contribution. Choose accordingly. Membership Type: Voluntary or OFW Applicable Period: Choose the start and end month SS Contribution: Choose the appropriate contribution depending on your salary range. Click here for the 2021 SSS contribution table A window prompt will show you a summary of your choices. Review your answers and if you&#8217;re ok with it, click OK. Next, a PDF copy of your SOA (statement of account) will be generated showing your PRN. You can download this for your reference. Then click back. Copy the latest PRN generated. Pay SSS contribution on GCash mobile app (click on the images to expand) Login to GCash mobile app Click Pay Bills Click Government Scroll down and choose SSS-PRN This section will show you the options you have for your payment. [...]]]></description>
		
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">272</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Office of the President launches 8888 SMS Hotline</title>
		<link>https://news.txtbuff.com/office-of-the-president-launches-8888-sms-hotline/</link>
					<comments>https://news.txtbuff.com/office-of-the-president-launches-8888-sms-hotline/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Caroline Siñel]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 06 Dec 2020 18:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[SMS in Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Office of the President]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.txtbuff.com/?p=270</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The Office of the President (OP) has officially launched the 8888 SMS/Text Service, an additional communications channel at the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center (8888 CCC). The 8888 SMS Hotline will allow citizens to raise their concerns, complaints, and grievances on graft and corrupt practices of government officials and/or employees; slow and inefficient delivery of government services or requests for government assistance — free of charge. Citizens can text their complaints to 8888 from both Smart and Globe. This platform was initiated by the Broadcast Messaging of the OP and was made possible thru the partnership of The Office of the President (OP) with giant telecom operators, Smart and Globe. Thru this partnership, Smart and Globe will be able to provide the SMS platform for the said hotline to support the government in attending to the public&#8217;s complaints. The office then will endorse the concerns and queries of the public to the concerned department or agency in the government for immediate action. The 8888 Citizen’s Complaint Hotline was institutionalized in October 2016 via Executive Order No. 6, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte. [Source: OPS, PLDT, Globe]]]></description>
		
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">270</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Mislatel is now DITO Telecommunity</title>
		<link>https://news.txtbuff.com/mislatel-is-now-dito-telecommunity/</link>
					<comments>https://news.txtbuff.com/mislatel-is-now-dito-telecommunity/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Caroline Siñel]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jul 2019 02:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[SMS Industry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DITO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mislatel]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.txtbuff.com/?p=268</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The 3rd major telco that we know as Mislatel Consortium will be renamed as Dito Telecommunity after being granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) by President Rodrigo Duterte. &#8220;Let me take this opportunity to pose this challenge to Mislatel [Consortium]: Break the prevailing duopoly in the telecommunications industry and fulfill your commitment to provide better telco services to our people.&#8221; &#8211; President Rodrigo Duterte said during the issuance ceremony. Mislatel has also been granted a set of frequencies last year after passing the NMP selction process. These frequencies, together with the CPCN, gives them the license to operate as a telecoms service provider in the country. Dito Telecommunity is expected to roll out its services in 2020. [Source: CNN Philippines, Rappler]]]></description>
		
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">268</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>NTC confirms Mislatel Consortium as 3rd major telco</title>
		<link>https://news.txtbuff.com/ntc-confirms-mislatel-consortium-as-3rd-major-telco/</link>
					<comments>https://news.txtbuff.com/ntc-confirms-mislatel-consortium-as-3rd-major-telco/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Caroline Siñel]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Nov 2018 10:47:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[SMS in Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SMS Industry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mislatel]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.txtbuff.com/?p=251</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has confirmed Mislatel Consortium as the new major telecommunications player to compete with PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom. The consortium is owned by Davao-based businessman Dennis A. Uy and state-owned China Telecom Corp. Ltd. The companies behind the consortium are Mindanao Islamic Telephone Inc. (Mislatel), Udenna Corporation, Chelsea Logistics Holdings (CLC), and China Telecom. Mislatel passed the NMP selection process and was the only bidder to submit complete requirements while the other two rivals, PT&#038;T and Sear Telecom Consortium, were disqualified. However, after passing the NMP selection process, the consortium will undergo a 90-day post-qualification review. During this period, Mislatel will be expected to finalize their plans. The NTC will award the third telco with a set of 3G, 4G and 5G radio frequencies that the latter can use to offer mobile services for the country. Mislatel has commited to provide a minimum average internet speed of 27 MBps and spend PHP 150 billion investment for the first year of its operation. [Source: Inquirer Business, Yugatech]]]></description>
		
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">251</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Understanding the Common Tower Policy</title>
		<link>https://news.txtbuff.com/understanding-the-common-tower-policy/</link>
					<comments>https://news.txtbuff.com/understanding-the-common-tower-policy/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Caroline Siñel]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Oct 2018 05:25:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[SMS in Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TowerCos]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.txtbuff.com/?p=249</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[In the Philippines, the current number of cell sites is 16,500. Unfortunately, this is not enough to serve the needs of millions of mobile internet users. According to the telcos, the long process of securing permits is slowing down the expansion of their networks. To address the demand for more cell towers, the governement will push tower sharing to be mandatory among all telecommunication companies. This regulation will be implemented under the Common Tower Policy. The Common Tower Policy will give birth to a new sub-industry where independent tower companies (TowerCos) will be responsible for building cell towers for the country. These towers can be leased to telco companies and even to new players who want to enter the telecommunication business. However, the telcos have a problem with the rules. The government is limiting the building of towers to only two independent TowerCos. The telcos are not allowed to build their own towers or invest in tower companies. According to Smart, Notwithstanding the existence of independent TowerCos, MNOs (Mobile Network Operators) should still be permitted to exercise their right to build telecommunications towers in accordance with their respective franchises. Finally, the number of independent TowerCos should not be limited to [...]]]></description>
		
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">249</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Delays still hindering new 3rd telco player</title>
		<link>https://news.txtbuff.com/delays-still-hindering-new-3rd-telco-player/</link>
					<comments>https://news.txtbuff.com/delays-still-hindering-new-3rd-telco-player/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Caroline Siñel]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2018 12:36:32 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[SMS in Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Telco Serye]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.txtbuff.com/?p=247</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The deadline for choosing the 3rd telco player has already passed but still no telco has been chosen yet. Rumors have been circulating in social media particularly in Facebook saying the initiative is already dead. The Department of Communications and Technology (DICT) has debunked those rumors and issued on Saturday that the search for 3rd telco would still push through. Rumors about the initiative were coming from a Facebook post by Democracy.net co-founder Pierre Galla. The Facebook post says &#8220;the third telco initiative is DEAD. Sorry, Pilipinas&#8221;. The President initially wants the 3rd telco to be operational by the 1st quarter of 2018, demanding the DICT and NTC to speed up the approval of applications and permits. To make things easier, PLDT also gave up their frequencies for the third player and the deadline has been moved to June 2018. Though the deadline as already passed, DICT assured that the search is still on. (Photo by alistairmcintyre via Pixabay) Acting DICT Chief, Eliseo Rio stated that the that there will be some delays on the process as the oversight committee has discovered multiple major problems that would prevent the new telco from being competitive, including no common tower policy, BayanTel’s [...]]]></description>
		
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">247</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>3rd telco needs 2G to compete with PLDT, Globe</title>
		<link>https://news.txtbuff.com/3rd-telco-needs-2g-to-compete-with-pldt-globe/</link>
					<comments>https://news.txtbuff.com/3rd-telco-needs-2g-to-compete-with-pldt-globe/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Caroline Siñel]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Jun 2018 14:02:15 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[SMS Industry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2G]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Globe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PLDT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Telco Serye]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.txtbuff.com/?p=245</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) said third telco player needs bandwidth from 2G frequency to be competitive in the industry and to be able to serve the 2G market. PCC Commissioner Johannes Benjamin R. Bernabe explained how some believed that 4G and 5G frequencies are enough to compete in the market since smartphones today are 4G and 5G capable. But 40% of Filipinos still use non-smartphones that rely on 2G, which is a large demographic to cater to. That&#8217;s why 2G frequencies are necessary in order to serve these users. However, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) believes the third player should be able to compete with both Globe Telecom, Inc. and PLDT, Inc. with just the 300 MHz currently available. (Photo by Tony Stoddard via Unsplash) It’s also important to note that Globe has earned 41% from voice and SMS in the past year while PLDT has earned 34% from SMS in 2016. The third telco player would need every advantage possible to compete against those numbers. As of today, the NTC estimates that PLDT holds 30.32% of the total frequencies, while Globe holds 24.9%. Nearly 45% is either unallocated, unassigned or stuck in litigation cases. However, [...]]]></description>
		
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">245</post-id>	</item>
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