Monday, October 17, 2011

Globe, PLDT agree on interconnection in Zamboanga City


Globe executives headed by lawyer Froilan Castelo and Charo Lagamon meet Monday, October 17, 2011 with Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat. (Romy Elusfa - Mindanao Examiner)


ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 17, 2011) — Local Mayor Celso Lobregat welcomed Monday the interconnection services between Globe Telecom and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) in Zamboanga, saying it would help usher development in the southern port city.


Lobregat met with Globe executives from Manila and Mindanao headed by lawyer Froilan Castelo, head for Corporate and Legal Services Group of Globe, at City Hall.

Globe Telecom and PLDT launched the interconnection services Monday. With the interconnection, Zamboanga could become Mindanao‘s biggest economic hubs with its robust information and communication technology infrastructure.

"After launching our Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) network in 2009 comes the successful rollout of an interconnected Globe and PLDT network. This is very timely for the city with its vision to provide and attract more business opportunities that will spur continued growth," Castelo said.

Thanking the National Telecommunications Office for its decision to push on the interconnection, Lobregat said he was expecting that NTC decision would help "boost the growing information and communications technology industry in the city."

The interconnection was a product of a five-year of negotiation that culminated with NTC Board’s order for both telecommunications giants to immediately implement the interconnection to maximize their respective services to the communities.

The local interconnection services will provide subscribers and business establishments with quality and more affordable telecommunication services, Castelo said.

This year, the NTC paved the way to complete interconnection between Globe and PLDT in Pampanga, Bulacan, and Zamboanga, with four more areas up for full activation before the year ends.

"With the completion of local interconnection, residents and business establishments, regardless of subscription, can enjoy calling each other without having to pay long distance charges or being charged with toll rates," Castelo said.

"Globe is happy to have been part of this milestone for the people of Zamboanga. Rest assured that Globe will always be at forefront of public service and will continue to work closely with NTC and the local government units to fast track implementation of interconnection services in more areas nationwide," he added.

In April, Globe Telecom, Bayan Telecommunications and Digitel Telecommunications Philippines also have been interconnected in all areas of common presence and operations nationwide.

Under Republic Act 7925, the NTC mandates compulsory interconnection of authorized public telecommunications carriers, hoping 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.

There are already over 30 provinces and cities nationwide awaiting for full interconnection between Globe and PLDT, according to Castelo. (Romy Elusfa)

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