Globe, PLDT complete link-up in La Union, Nueva Ecija, Benguet

MANILA, Philippines - In support of the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) directive to expedite activation of network interconnection to benefit more subscribers in the country, Globe Telecom and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) have successfully completed their network link-up covering three major provinces in Luzon.

Residents and business establishments in La Union, Nueva Ecija and Benguet can now enjoy more affordable and efficient telecommunication services from the two major operators with the activation of local interconnection in the three provinces. Local interconnection paves the way for subscribers in a specific province or city to make calls via seven-digit local dialing without paying long distance charges. Without interconnection, a Globe landline subscriber would have to pay long distance rates to call a PLDT landline subscriber within the same area, and vice-versa.

Areas covered in La Union are San Fernando, Bauang, Agoo, Naguillian, Caba, Aringay, Rosario and San Juan. For Benguet, covered areas are Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon and Tublay. In Nueva Ecija, residents and business establishments in Cabanatuan City, San Jose, Gapan, Guimba, Cabiao, San Isidro, Munoz, Jaen, San Antonio, Palayan City, Rizal, San Leonardo, Sto. Domingo, Talavera and Sta. Rosa will benefit from the activation of the network interconnection between Globe and PLDT.

An interconnected network will greatly impact on the delivery of fast and cost-efficient telecommunication services to further boost economic growth in the three provinces. Nueva Ecija, for instance, is considered the rice granary of the Philippines and is one of the top producers of agricultural products in the country. La Union and Benguet host a variety of industries that significantly contribute to its growing economies: service, agriculture, manufacturing, mining and tourism.

“The successful activation of local interconnection in La Union, Benguet and Nueva Ecija is indeed one good reason to celebrate the Yuletide season, especially as it benefits more subscribers in the country who deserve and quality affordable telecom services. This is definitely a huge milestone for the three provinces as part of our compliance to the request of NTC to boost the country’s telecommunications infrastructure, with Globe always committed to serve and protect public interest and consumer welfare,” Globe corporate and legal services head Froilan Castelo said.

This year, Globe and PLDT have successfully activated network interconnection in Pampanga, Bulacan, Zamboanga, Laguna and Quezon. 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 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.