‘SUPER UNLITXT TO ALL’ is limited, after all

As a loyal customer of Globe Telecoms, I have been a subscriber of its “MY SUPER PLAN” (entitling me to unlimited calls and short message services to all users of Globe services). On the other hand, my “SUPER UNLITXT TO ALL PLAN” entitles me to short message services to all networks. For each of these two plans, I am supposed to pay P599 monthly.

However, in January this year, to my unpleasant surprise, Globe billed me the amount of P6,721.78, representing my short message services to users of other networks from Dec. 16 to Jan. 12, 2012, notwithstanding my having paid the fixed charge required by Globe for such services in December 2011. When I complained to its collection personnel about this problem, they responded that the reason for such charges was that I had exceeded my credit limit for the “SUPER UNLITXT TO ALL PLAN” and therefore they had to discontinue my enjoyment of such services. However, they agreed to waive the questioned charges for that billing period. But, for the period Jan. 16 to Feb. 12, 2012, Globe raised my credit limit to P1,500 for its services, yet it billed me P7,528.93 for short message services to users of other networks.

Several issues need to be resolved by Globe regarding these matters:

1. Since I paid the one-time charge of P599 for “SUPER UNLITXT TO ALL PLAN” in December 2011, the P6,721.78-billing for the period Dec. 16, 2011 to Jan. 12, 2012, without giving me prior notice that my “SUPER UNLITXT TO ALL PLAN” had been severed, represents a sinister attempt to shortchange its customers.

2. The absence of any written contract covering Globe services or qualifying service usage opens the customer to abuse by the network.

3. Why at all use the word, “UNLITXT” (which denotes “unlimited”) to promote a plan that has a limit after all? This is a clear violation of the rule on truth in advertising and promotions.

I lament the fact that Globe chose to arbitrarily sever my “SUPER UNLITXT TO ALL” credit limit without prior written notice or information.

—NELSON S. TAN,

IPP Philippine Jaycee Senate,

JCI Senate Philippines Headquarters,

Roces Avenue, Roxas District, Quezon City