THE networks of Globe Telecom, Bayan Telecommunications (BayanTel) and Digitel Telecommunications Philippines (Digitel) are fully interconnected but phone giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), according to Globe, has yet to fulfill full interconnection with its rivals.
In a statement, Globe said that its network and that of BayanTel and Digitel are now 100-percent interconnected in all areas of common presence and operations nationwide, following the commercial activation of the local linkage between the networks of Globe and Digitel in Lucena City and the rest of Quezon province.
“This is another milestone not only for Globe, BayanTel and Digitel, but more importantly for the public who will benefit from the interconnection,” said Melvin Santos, head for national carrier relations at Globe. “Competition should not get in the way of serving the public interest and we have proven that even rival telcos can work together for the greater good.”
Globe and Digitel have established interconnection in common operation areas in the Metro Manila and in the provinces of Camarines Norte, Bataan, Lucena, Sorsogon, Ilocos Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, and Zambales. On the other hand, Globe and Bayantel are both present in Metro Manila 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.
PLDT and Globe, meanwhile, are interconnected only in Davao City, Batangas, Cavite, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Cotabato City. The two companies’ networks are not yet interconnected in at least 20 more provinces where both have commercial operations, including the provinces of Pampanga, La Union and Benguet.
Earlier, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the provincial board of Pampanga announced that PLDT and Globe will implement the interconnection of their networks on April 15. “We’ve always been ready and waiting to interconnect our network with all our competitors,” said Froilan Castelo, head of the corporate and legal services group at Globe.
After completing its nationwide interconnection with Digitel and BayanTel, Globe is hopeful that interconnection agreements with PLDT will be hastened.
The achievement of full interconnection between Globe, Digitel and BayanTel in all areas of common operations is a mandate from the NTC, in compliance with Republic Act 7925.
