Telco to go after firms sending text spams

Globe Telecom Inc. on Wednesday said it is going after companies that send unsolicited text advertising or text spam to subscribers.

It asked industry regulator National Telecommunications Commission to stop Caritas Health Shield Inc. and its agents - and impose the necessary fines against them - from sending text spam to Globe subscribers

According to Globe, subscribers have been complaining about receiving five to 10 unsolicited advertising a day. The messages are sent through untraceable, prepaid numbers that can also be easily discarded.

The telco cited a particular text spam from the Caritas, which reads: " Caritas Health Shied Inc. offers a pre- approved comprehensive health card with money- back guarantee. If you're interested, please reply with your name, age and address. Our health consultant will assist you shortly."

" The clamor of customers to combat spam messages has become a matter of public interest so the NTC should use all its disciplinary powers against spammers like Caritas," Globe said in its complaint.

As a Globe prepaid subscriber, Caritas violated the terms and conditions under the User's Guide that warns subscribers " not [ to] use the prepaid service, handset, SIM cards, call & text card for any fraudulent or abusive purpose," the telco noted.

"[ Globe] will continue to amplify our campaign until we have substantially reduced, if not eliminated, this problem," general counsel Froilan Castelo said.

The messages from Caritas caused Globe subscribers " massive irritation" that prompted them to lodge numerous complaints with customer service, he added.

As of end- April, Globe said it barred 384 mobile numbers from its network after having been identified as being used by text spammers.