Pampanga urges PLDT to link with Globe landline

MANILA, Philippines - The provincial government of Pampanga is urging Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) to immediately interconnect its local landline with Globe Telecom’s landline network in the province.

In a resolution, the provincial board of Pampanga urged PLDT and Globe to fast track the implementation of local landline interconnection services. At present, calls between Globe landlines and PLDT, and vice versa, in Pampanga are charged to residents and businesses as long distance calls even if both parties are in the same province.

It added that the absence of local landline interconnection services also affects the viability of the local economy, where telecommunications is a major contributor. Pampanga is one of the biggest provinces in the country in terms of population.

In response to the Pampanga provincial board resolution, Globe said it is ready to initiate the interconnection of its landline network with that of PLDT’s.

“We are mobilized and all set to make this interconnection possible. This will allow the delivery of faster and more efficient telecommunication services for the people of Pampanga,” Globe head for national carrier relations Melvin Santos said.

Last October, Globe successfully interconnected its landline networks with Digitel in the provinces of Sorsogon, Camarines Norte and Bataan. Both companies are expected to have fully interconnected networks in areas where they have operations.

“Setting aside the intense competition in the telecom industry, we at Globe are in constant pursuit to deliver an experience that’s easy, relevant and hassle-free for our subscribers by expanding the reach of local interconnections with major telecommunication providers,” Santos added.

Local interconnection means that residents and business establishments in various provinces or cities can make local calls without any extra charges. Without interconnection, a Globe landline subscriber has to pay long-distance rates to call a PLDT, Digitel or Bayantel landline subscriber within the same area, and vice-versa.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) mandates compulsory interconnection of authorized public telecommunications carriers under Republic Act 7925. This aims to create a universally accessible and fully integrated nationwide telecommunications network to encourage more infrastructure investments from the private sector that would benefit the consumers.