More mobile phone users can resort to voice calls now that state regulators have imposed a cheaper, per second charging system.

The new billing mode even makes a mobile phone call to another mobile cheaper versus a call from a wireline to mobile phone and vice versa. Starting last weekend, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) declared that the 6-second pulse billing mode will be applied to mobile calls within the same network, in time for the peak Christmas season.

However, calls between different networks will not start charging per pulse until next week, starting at 12:01 A.M. of December 16, 2009 due to some technical setbacks.

Under the per second billing mode, callers who used to pay P7.50 under the former per minute system will only pay P4.69.
Those who pay P15 for a one minute and thirty second call will only pay P11.25. The “flag down” rate for the new billing system was pegged at P3 for the first two pulses.

The flag down rate and the sum of the eight remaining pulses for the first minute should not exceed the prevailing rate. Mobile calls are charged between P6 and P7.50 per minute while wireline to mobile calls are charged at least P8 per minute.
Under the per second charging scheme, callers will pay the same rate for the first minute but will only pay for what they consume for the next six-second pulses. The succeeding pulse rates for the first minute was pegged at 0.56 per pulse and 0.75 per pulse for the succeeding minutes.

Furthermore, NTC is drafting a new circular to make local exchange carriers (LEC) shift to the per six second pulse billing system for both wireline and wireless landline calls.

The shift can encourage more subscribers to use wireline services Meanwhile, starting last weekend, Globe Telecon Inc. has started charging all Globe and TM calls within the country on the per second basis. Calls made using the prefix 232 for Globe subscribers and 803 for TM subscribers will be charged 10 centavos per second from Monday to Saturday and 5 centavos on Sunday.

“By offering per second charging for voice calls Globe and TM subscribers will get the best value for their money. They get to pay only what they use. At the same time, we hope to stimulate and drive call usage among heavy texters especially during this season,” announced Ernest L. Cu, Globe President and CEO.

“As Globe makes calls more affordable for customers, we are giving them more reasons to stay in touch with family and friends that will help keep the Filipino value of close family ties alive,” he added.

Per second charging is applicable to all Globe-to-Globe, Globe-to-TM, TM-to-Globe and TM-to-TM calls made all over the country. Globe affirmed its support for the industry-wide implementation of the new billing system.