SPY BIZ By S.A. Maguire
The Philippine Star 08/03/2006

Built-in international rates?

Cellphone subscribers are wondering why text messages always attach ‘+63’ on the originating cell number, even if the sender or recipient has not incorporated it in his address book. Cost-conscious and meticulous subscribers are asking if this ‘+63’ would get them to pay international roaming rates for local text messages. They also want to find out if telecoms providers have built in the ‘+63’ into their system. Spybiz advises cellphone subscribers to call their respective service providers to clarify the matter.
any ideas or answers about this?