Globe, Bayan now fully interconnected nationwide

MANILA, Philippines - The networks of Globe Telecom and Bayan Telecommunications (BayanTel) are now 100 percent interconnected in all areas both companies serve in the Philippines, following the opening of local links for the provinces of Northern and Western Samar.

The commercial activation of local interconnection between Globelines, the wireline service of Globe, and BayanTel for Northern Samar and Western Samar took effect Dec. 10, which means that Globelines and BayanTel subscribers within the province of Northern Samar and those within Western Samar can call each other locally without having to pay long-distance rates.

Globe and BayanTel have common operation areas in the National Capital Region and the provinces of Iloilo, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Negros Occidental, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Norte, Davao del Sur, South Cotabato, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Sorsogon.   

“We are happy to have achieved full interconnection with another telecommunications company for the good of residents and businesses in these provinces.This is a positive sign that even industry competitors can work together to serve public interest and spur the domestic economy with relevant and cost-effective telecommunication services,” Globe national carrier relations head Melvin Santos said.

Globe had earlier said it was bent on more interconnection agreements with rival phone firms as part of efforts to expand its network to reach more subscribers and to spur development in key growth areas outside the National Capital Region.

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.