PLDT, Globe ink interconnection pact in Albay

MANILA, Philippines - Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. and dominant carrier Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) inked a new interconnection pact allowing subscribers of both telecom providers in Albay to call each other without additional charges.

Froilan Castelo, general counsel of Globe, said the deal between Globelines and PLDT took effect last Aug. 14 enabling subscribers of both service providers in Albay to call each other without additional long distance charges.

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

“We have been aggressively pursuing interconnection with our counterparts knowing that this will greatly benefit our customers as it enhances their access to affordable telecommunication services,” Castelo said.

Both 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, Davao del Norte, Pangasinan, and Sorsogon.

 “We hope that other provinces will be covered by such collaboration in the months ahead so that more and more customers will benefit from cost-effective services,” he said.

According to him, Globe and PLDT are also in talks for similar interconnection arrangements in Zambales, Misamis Occidental and Ilocos Norte.

Republic Act  7925 or the Public Telecommunications Policy Act mandates the compulsory interconnection of authorized public telecommunications carriers to create a universally accessible and fully integrated nationwide telecommunications network.

The law would also encourage more infrastructure investments from the private sector that would benefit the consumers.

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.

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