PLDT, IPVG unit ink Internet linkup deal

MANILA, Philippines - Telecommunications leader Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), through its corporate business group, and IP-Converge Data Center Inc., the IT and telecommunications business unit of publicly-listed IPVG Corp., recently signed a service agreement to establish local exchange peering via PLDT operated PHIX (Philippine Internet Exchange).

The local exchange peering between the two connectivity providers instantly resulted in improved local transit services for all customers. PHIX is a PLDT facility where Philippine Internet service providers can interconnect and exchange IP traffic.

Local exchange peering is defined as the interconnection of separate Internet networks for the purpose of exchanging traffic between the customers of each network. In essence, this arrangement enables PLDT and IP-Converge to exchange domestic Internet traffic for the purpose of establishing better latencies to locations within the country. This means that when an Internet user on the IP-Converge network clicks on a link to access a certain web location within the country, the data is transmitted locally through PHIX, as opposed to travelling through other routes that could take longer, resulting in a sub-standard user experience.

“The service can support up to one Gbps of PHIX transit on a single port. This allows IP-Converge to scale from 100 Mbps to a full one Gbps on the exchange. This means we can fully support customers’ high-bandwidth requirements immediately,” IP-Converge VP for technical operations and customer support Edgar Gutierrez said.

The arrangement stands to benefit both companies in terms of enhanced connectivity to both networks, as well as cost savings on commercial bandwidth.

IP-Converge is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company providing a host of managed data services and business solutions to local and international customers, and have been in partnership with PLDT for various data connectivity requirements. PLDT currently supports IP-Converge’s last mile (Manila POP to customer end-point) and long-haul requirements (Manila POP to HK POP) to deliver quality IP services to their end users.