Globe, PLDT plan more interconnection deals

MANILA, Philippines - Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. and dominant carrier Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) are further expanding their interconnection arrangements to cover more provinces to allow their subscribers to call each other without additional charges.

Froilan Castelo, general counsel of Globe, said both companies are in talks for interconnection arrangements in Zambales Misamis Occidental and Ilocos Norte after completing local interconnection in Pangasinan last July 1.

 “Rest assured that Globe will continue to pursue collaboration and cooperation with competition to enhance our customers’ access to telecommunication services. We are hopeful that we will be able to establish the same kind of collaboration in other areas of the country to provide cost-effective services to our customers,” Castelo said.

The local interconnection between Globe and PLDT allows landline customers of both entities to realize substantial savings as they no longer have to pay for long distance charges when calling one another.

Prior to the commercial activation of the interconnection, landline customers of both Globelines and PLDT were charged with long distance rate when making phones to one another.

With the commercial availability of the interconnection, Globe subscribers can simply dial the seven-digit telephone number to connect with PLDT and vice-versa.

Globe and PLDT have  existing interconnection in Metro Manila, Cavite, Iloilo, Capiz, Batangas, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Leyte, Davao City, Pampanga, Bulacan, Zamboanga, Laguna, Quezon, La Union, Nueva Ecija, and Benguet, GenSan/South Cotabato, Tarlac and Davao del Norte.

Aside from PLDT, Castelo said Globe is open to discussions for potential interconnection arrangement with other local exchange carriers.