Globe, PLDT interconnect in Laguna after 5 years of talks

After five years of negotiation, Globe Telecom and PLDT have finally completed their network link-up in Laguna which hosts a number of IT and economic parks.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has earlier ordered the two telcos to fast-track the implementation of network interconnection to provide subscribers and business establishments with more efficient and affordable telecommunication services.

Local interconnection means that residents and business establishments in a specific province or city can make calls via 7-digit local dialing without having to pay 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.

With the completion of interconnection services between the two operators, residents and enterprises in Alaminos, Calamba, Calauan, Los Banos, Paete, Pila, San Pablo, Sta. Cruz, and Sta. Rosa are expected to benefit from this initiative, as well as significantly contribute to the continuing growth of the province’s economy and other related industries.

Aside from being one of the provinces in the country with the highest population, Laguna is also the preferred dwelling of big businesses and investors, making it the largest concentration of industries in the country with 18 industrial estates.

“The completion of network interconnection between Globe and PLDT is definitely a huge milestone for the province because of its massive coverage and impact to more stakeholders; from individual customers to the bigger business enterprises,” said Froilan M. Castelo, head for corporate and legal services group at Globe.

This year, the NTC, together with the respective local government units paved the way to complete interconnection services between Globe and PLDT in Pampanga, Bulacan, Zamboanga, and now Laguna, with three more areas waiting for full activation before the year ends.

Meanwhile, the networks of Globe, Bayan Telecommunications and 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. — Newsbytes.ph