Rollover Internet Act

Senale Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: Senate Bill No. 2037 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT MANDATING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING ROLL-OVER DATA ALLOCATION SCHEME AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE In today's digital age, access to reliable internet is no longer a luxury, it is essential for education, work, communication, and everyday life. For many Filipinos, especially students, remote workers, and those relying on prepaid services, mobile data is the primary gateway to opportunities and meaningful engagement with the world. At present, unused mobile data often expires at the end of its validity period, even when consumers are unable to fully use what they have purchased. This system can result in financial loss, particularly for families who carefully allocate their resources to stay connected. People's internet usage varies greatly depending on their responsibilities and daily circumstances. Students may need more data during exams or project deadlines, while workers may have fluctuating connectivity needs for their jobs. A rollover system accommodates these realities, giving users flexibility and peace of mind that they can use their data when they truly need it.

This bill seeks to mandate and institutionalize a roll-over data allocation scheme which offers a practical solution in allowing users to carry over unused data to the next validity period. This will ensure that every peso spent on mobile data is fully valued, relieving consumers of unnecessary stress and promoting fairness in access to essential digital services. In view of the foregoing, the passage of the measure is earnestly sought. ERWIN T. TULFO

Senate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE Office of the Secretacy REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session APR 13 P 3:29 SENATE RECEIVED BY: Senate Bill No. 2037 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT MANDATING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING ROLL-OVER DATA ALLOCATION SCHEME AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Roll-

2 Over Internet Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State hereby affirms the

5 vital role of information and communications technology in nation- building. It shall adopt and enforce measures to regulate internet 7 service providers (ISPs) and to safeguard and promote the interests and 8 welfare of the people and the consuming public.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

a) Data Capping refers to the limit of bandwidth allocation as ISP id offering to its subscriber per day, week, or month; b) Internet Data Package refers to the internet service packages, plans, or promos offered by ISPs with

maximum limits on the open access data volume and end user may avail per set period of the package; c) Internet Service Provider refers to any service-based operator whose services involve the combination of computer processing, information storage, protocol conversion, and transmission to enable subscribers to access internet content and services as well as multimedia services and its transmission of data through digital subscriber line (DSL), fixed wireless broadband, cable broadband, fiber-optic or fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and mobile data to enable subscribers to access internet content and services, as well as multimedia services; d) Offer Duration refers to the length of time a subscriber or user is allowed to use an internet data package service and promos; e) Roll Over Data Allocation refers to the unused internet data allocation per day, week, or month, as the case may be, depending on the applicable internet data package, which shall be carried over to the following day, week, or month until it is fully consumed; and f) Unlimited Internet Data Package refers to an internet service package with no data cap.

SEC. 4. Roll-Over Data Allocation Scheme. - All ISPs are

required to implement a Roll-Over Data Allocation Scheme for their subscribers as follows: a) For postpaid subscribers or users: The roll-over data allocation shall be prioritized to be consumed in the succeeding month: Provided, That the unused data every month shall be rolled-over and accumulated up until the last month of the year: Provided, further, That all unused data allocation for a year may be used and converted as

rebates that may be used by subscribers as payment for internet service in the succeeding year of subscription. b) For prepaid subscribers or users and postpaid subscribers who avail of internet data package promo offers: 1) Unused data allocation shall be rolled over: Provided, That the subscriber or user renews the subscription right after the lapse of the offer duration; 2) The unused data collection of subscribers or users who fail to renew subscription shall be reduced by 20% every day until the subscription is renewed; and 3) If after five (5), the subscription is not renewed, all unused data allocation shall be considered consumed.

SEC. 5. Exemptions. — Subscribers who availed and shall avail

of any unlimited internet data package with no data cap shall be exempted from this Act.

SEC. 6. Penalties. - Any ISP who fails to comply with Section 4

of this Act shall be subject to the following penalties: a) A fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) per violation per subscriber; and b) For repeated violations, in addition to fine, revocation or cancellation of the license, registration or franchise of an ISP, including the waiving of any pre-termination fees of the affected subscriber.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulation. - Within sixty (60)

2 days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), in coordination with the 4 National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and other 5 concerned agencies, shall promulgate the rules and regulations and 6 other issuances as may be necessary to ensure the effective > implementation of this Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act

10 or part hereof be declared unconstitutional, the other provisions or parts 11 not affected thereby shall remain valid and effective.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders,

issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,