MANILA, Philippines - The successful activation of local interconnection services between Globe Telecom and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) in Zamboanga is expected to boost the growing information and communications technology (ICT) industry in the city, specifically for the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector.
After five years of negotiation, the two major telecom players have completed their network link-up in the city, following the announcement of National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba that the regulatory body expects the immediate implementation of local interconnection services between Globe and PLDT to provide subscribers and business establishments with quality and more affordable telecommunication services.
This year, the NTC paved the way to complete interconnection between Globe and PLDT in Pampanga, Bulacan and Zamboanga, with four more areas up for full activation before the year ends. With the completion of local interconnection, residents and business establishments, regardless of subscription, can enjoy calling each other without having to pay long distance charges or being charged with toll rates.
“Zamboanga is touted to become one of Mindanao’s biggest economic hubs with its robust ICT infrastructure. After launching our Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) network in 2009 comes the successful rollout of an interconnected Globe and PLDT network. This is very timely for the city with its vision to provide and attract more business opportunities that will spur continued growth,” said Froilan Castelo, head for corporate and legal services of Globe.
“We are happy to have been part of this milestone for the people of Zamboanga. Rest assured that Globe will always be at forefront of public service and will continue to work closely with NTC and the local government units to fast track implementation of interconnection services in more areas nationwide.”
Meanwhile, the networks of Globe, Bayan Telecommunications (BayanTel) and Digitel Telecommunications Philippines (Digitel) have been 100 percent interconnected in all areas of common presence and operations nationwide since April of 2011.
Under Republic Act 7925, the NTC mandates compulsory interconnection of authorized public telecommunications carriers. 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. To date, there are over 30 provinces and cities nationwide awaiting for full interconnection between Globe and PLDT.
Local interconnection means residents and businesses in various provinces or cities can make local calls without any extra charges. Without interconnection, a Globe landline subscriber would have to pay long distance rates to call a PLDT, Digitel or BayanTel landline subscriber within the same area, and vice-versa.