SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES — ) i
First Regular Session ) {

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
House Bill No. 816

Introduced by Representative Ben P. Evardone
Lone District, Eastern Samar

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Voice over internet Protocol (VOIP) is that transmission technology delivering voice
communications over internet protocol networks such as the internet or other packet-switched
networks instead of going through public-switched telephone networks of telecommunication
companies, In short, VOIP allows voice communications through the internet. This technology proves
to be very useful especially to those who have relatives abroad like Filipino families who have
members working as OFW5, Its said to be way cheaper, by almost 30% to 50% as compared to doing
Jong distance calls.

However, this 21" century innovation is not well-known to many; and thus, its potential has
not been fully utilized and exhausted. This bill seeks to promote widespread utilization and
deployment of VOIPs as an aid in lowering communications costs, especially internet calls, and in
assisting local competitiveness in the global economy.

VOIP systems do not require complicated set-
fact, it is highly mobile as transfer of voice, which is converted to signals, is dependent on the
software, not on the hardware. A desktop computer, internet connection and a VOIP phone would
complete a system already. New components may be added without difficulty for bigger scale use,
like in companies

ips nor do they use complicated wirings. In

The money saved in VOIPs can then be used for other purposes and needs so
efficient.

really cost-

Hence, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

eZ,

BEN EVARDONE,


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES y

First Regular Session )

Me espera N an FIVES

Introduced by Representative Ben P, Evardone
Lone District, Eastern Samar

AN ACT

TO PROMOTE AND GOVERN THE DEVELOPMENT OF VOICE OVER
INTERNET PROTOCOL IN THE PHILIPPINES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Tite.

This Act shall be known as the “Philippine VOIP Act of 2013”,

SEC. 2, Scope and Applivation, - This Act shall apply (o any person or entity seeking, 10
provide Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) serviees (o the public for compensation.

SEC. 3. Definitions! - For purposes of this Act, the following terms, where used shatl
have the following meaning:

(a) Public telecommunications entity (PTE) = any person, firm, partnership or

tion, government or private, engaged in the provision of telecommuinieations

corpora
services to the public for compensation;

(b) Value-added service (VAS) - enhanced services beyond those ordinarily
provided for by local exchange and int ange operaors, and overseas carriers,

where “ordinarily provided" services shall mean Voice services offered Uwough cireult
switched networks;

(c) Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) - provision of vaice communication using
Internet Protocol (IP) technology, instead of traditional cireuit switehed ceehinology

(a) Customer Premises Equipment GPE) - equipment located in the premises of a
‘customer which is not part of" but connected to the system or network of the PT}

ARTICL
POLICY AND OBJECTIVES,

SEC. 4, Declaration of National Policy. - (vis the policy af the State to recognize the role
and contribution of communications in nation building. I is likewise the policy of the
State to recognize the need 10 (1) provide far the emergence of communications struc
Suitable 1@ the needs and aspirations of the nation, and (2) encourage the development of
how applications and services that can enhance Philippine competitiveness in the
information and communications technology (ICT) market

The growth and development of voice over internet protocal shall be pursued! in
aceorclance with the following objectives:

(@) To proiect, promote and develop any and all modes, means and forms of



communications, and make the same available and accessible to the generat publics

(b) To encourage the growth, «evelopment and sustenance of VOIP as an
alternative mode of communications; and

(©) To foster a healthy competitive environment in which telecommunication
‘companies und intemet service providers are free to interact with one another in
providing VOIP while maintaining affontable rates and ensuring their Rinancial viability

ARTICLE I
ADMINISTRATION

sion (NTC), The
or of

rm

SEC. 5, Responsibilities of the National Telecommunications Com
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) shall be the prineipal administy
this Act and as such shall take the necessary measures to implement the poli
objectives set forth in this Act.

SEC
public for compensation shall reg
provider.

istration. ~ Any person or cutity seeking to provide VOIP for use by the
ter as such with the NTC prior to operation as VOIP

SEC. 7, aterconnection. « No value-aulded service provider shall provide VOIP services
Which require access to and/or use of a network provider's network, fh andor
equipment unless it has entered into an agreement with suck network provider as to the
term and conditions of fair and reasonable access and or interconnection charges for such
access and/or use.

in cases where the VAS provider and network provider refiuse 0 negotiate or are
unable to come to an agreement on the interconnection of their network, the NTC shal
tupon the complaint of any interested party oF upon its own initiative, intervene and
assume jurisdiction over the matter and immediately direct physical interconnection of
the network of the parties under such terms and conditions it may deem proper under the
circumstances.
"Nothing, in this Act shall, however, prevent the parties from negotiating and
executing an interconnection agreement and submitting the same to the NTC for
approval. *

For this purpose, the parties shall be given a period of ninety (90) days from receipt
‘of notice of the filing of the complaint within which to negotiate and execute an
interconnection agreement; Provided, that until an interconnection agreeiient is executed
the interconnection’ mandate adverted to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall
remain in fill force and effect.

SEC, 8, Equal Aecess. - Network providers shall ensure equal neces erms of quantity
‘and quality, at the same prices for substantially simitar service to VAS providers, and
shall not discriminate benween VAS providers. The parties shall submit a copy of their
yreements on these matters for purposes of monitoring and supervision by the NTC. No
public telecommunications entity, network provider oF other entity providing internet
access to subscribers and VAS providers shall impede or degrade the access of such
subscribers and WAS providers to the internet content of another application or service
providers, except where such access demonstrably threatens the integrity of their network
or facilities.

SEC. 9. Customer Premises Equipment, - The sale, lease, importation, distribution andor
provision of CPE designed to enable or ease the use of VOIP shall be governed by the
existing rules and regulations on CPEs. CPEs ator accessories designed to enable or
ease the use of VOIP not directly connected to the networks of PTEs shall not re
ype approval of acceptance except when the VOIP equipment and/or accessories use
radio spectrum.



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SEC. 10, Subscribers’ Rights, ~ Network and/or intemet service providers shall not
require subscribers to purchase or use or to refrain from pucelasing or using any 1P-
enabled service as a precondition to obtaining their broadband service,

SEC. 11, Separability Clause, - IF any part or provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional of invalid, other provisions hereof that are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

secutive orders, rules and
Act, are hereby repealed,

SHC. 12. Repeating Clause, -AlL laws, presidential decre
regulations, or paris thereof, which are not consistent w
amended or modified accordingly.

alter its

O13, Effeetivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) de
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,