Philippines Orders Cut in SMS Costs
Mobile operators in The Philippines are bracing themselves for a surge in SMS traffic - already the highest per person in the world - after the government ordered a 50% cut in prices. The price cut is temporary though and will last for just 90 days.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made the announcement at the state of the nation address.
The average price for SMSs in The Philippines is $0.02 (one pesos), but will now cost $0.01 (50 centavos).
The lower prices will be effective from July 28 until October 28 - and the regulator has noted that the operators may be willing to extend the offer, so long as their infrastructure can cope with the traffic.
Figures from the Mobile World database notes that the country ended Q1 '08 with just under 58 million mobile phone subscribers - representing a population penetration level of just under 63%.
Posted to the site on 28th July 2008
