Jim English, who works with a group of 17 vending-machine operators, says that their interchange fees have jumped from roughly six or seven cents a transaction to the federally regulated 21 cents.
Earlier this week, the Virgin Group announced it was in talks with several Chinese phone operators to launch a mobile phone joint venture within the next 12 to 18 months.
Ben Wood, senior analyst at the technology consultancy Gartner Group, says the mobile phone operators have a real opportunity to make their connection with the customer count.
Once you reach Sablayan, there are now several dive operators to choose, including the reliable Sablayan Municipal Ecotourism Office which can set you up with a group for a full day of snorkelling or diving.