I recently arrived from a trip of various Asian countries, and in two of the countries where I spend the most time for work, I took for myself local pre-paid SIM cards. Answering calls and responding to SMS messages through my Philippine-issued roaming postpaid SIM card just didn’t seem like a financially intelligent proposition. I would be paying for something like P15 (US$0.35) to respond to an SMS and P80/min. (US$1.90) to answer or make a call.
Using my acquired Malaysia SIM, the rates I pay look something like this:
- Local SMS: RM0.01 (P0.13/US$0.003)
- Local Call: RM 0.15/min (P1.98/US$0.046)
- International SMS (to Phils.): RM 0.15 (P1.98/US$0.046)
- International Call (to Phils.): RM 0.56/min (P7.30/US$0.17)
In India, the rates look something like this:
- Local SMS: INR 0.50 (P0.50/US$0.01)
- Local Call: INR 1.00/min. (P1.00/US$0.02)
- International SMS (to Phils.): INR 3.00 (P3.00/US$0.07)
- International Call (to Phils.): INR 12.00 (P12.00/US$0.28 )
These are the actual rates deducted from my balance when I availed of these services. I did not even choose the telco with the best rates, but the one with the best coverage. I have seen better rates offered by other competing telcos.
I did not pay more than P100 (US$2.35) for each of the actual SIM cards, and by the way, checking of balance is always free of charge. In fact, for my Malaysia SIM, I am able to view an e-statement of all my activities online, also for free.
With the equivalent of P300 (US$7.00) in both countries, my credits lasted for a whole week of use, making both local and international calls to the Philippines and Singapore. I must have even used my mobile phone more than I would usually have if I had been back home. The low rates seem to egg you on to use your phone more. It is no wonder why more people are on their mobiles in these countries than in the Philippines. With these rates, you would rather call than SMS. From a health and safety perspective, calling rather than texting probably causes less accidents on the road.
Globalization has indeed made the world a much smaller place. At least for some countries.
Alas, you cannot help but compare our local rates and offerings in the Philippines.
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Filed under: General
nice insight on telco rates of our neighbors. electricity also is very high in rp compared to the rest of asia
Con-Con,
Nice blog you have there! Thanks for dropping by and thanks for the compliment.
Keep coming back, and I do hope to have something new each time.
I guess that is where the market is going. Cheaper rates but higher usage in the long term. Here in Australia, the go is capped rates. Make as much calls/SMS for a capped fee of starting from AUD$29 per month (that is on contract for 24 months).
cheaper usage/increased usage benefits everyone. I wish the Philippine carriers realize that. Everyone would be more productive all around and that should benefit the economy altogether. Same case with power rates….
Amen to that, aldo!