Group calls for broader consultations on data rollover bills

A consumer advocacy group has called for broader consultations on proposed data rollover bills, saying it could undermine the affordability and flexibility of prepaid mobile data offerings in the country if not carefully designed.

“Broader consultations among lawmakers, regulators, consumer groups, and telecommunications providers are needed to ensure that the policy is workable and aligned with the realities of the Philippine mobile market,” CitizenWatch Philippines lead convenor Orlando Oxales said.

He said the proposals risk clashing with the structure of the Philippines’ promo-driven mobile data market, which is heavily reliant on short-term prepaid bundles offered by telecommunications companies.

“Consumers should not lose paid internet data simply because of arbitrary expiration rules. That objective is valid and necessary. However, legislation must reflect market realities,” he said, noting that telecommunications providers in the Philippines largely depend on frequently changing promotional packages rather than fixed monthly subscription plans.

Oxales said that data rollover features are easier to implement in markets dominated by postpaid plans with fixed allocations. In contrast, the Philippine setup is centered on low-cost, short-duration promos that appeal to budget-conscious consumers.

“It is easy to see how rollover features work with fixed monthly plans that have defined data allocations. The real question is how this will work in a market dominated by short-term promotional bundles,” he said.

CitizenWatch warned that forcing rollover mechanisms onto this system without proper calibration could disrupt how telecommunications companies design and price their offerings. This, in turn, could reduce the availability of low-denomination prepaid options that many Filipinos rely on.

It also flagged several risks, including increased complexity in promo structures and a potential shift by telecom providers toward fewer, higher-priced plans to offset operational and financial uncertainties introduced by rollover rules.

The group said such developments could erode the flexibility that prepaid users currently enjoy, particularly those who depend on small, affordable data packages for daily connectivity.

CitizenWatch called for a pause in legislative discussions to refine key provisions, including how rollover applies to short-term promos, the duration and limits of carried-over data, and the conditions for renewal and enforcement.

“Getting the policy right is more important than getting it fast. If we take the time to refine the rules, we can protect consumers today without undermining affordability, access, and innovation in the future,” Oxales said. —AOL, GMA News