PLDT, Globe boost telco services in Leyte, Biliran

MANILA, Philippines – Telecommunications firms PLDT Incorporated and Globe Telecom have set up interconnection links in Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran allowing free local calls between their subscribers.

The interconnection agreement between the rivals covers subscribers in the towns and cities of Tacloban, Julita, Alang-Alang, San Isidro, Ormoc, and Matalom in Leyte; Maasin, Sogod, and Liloan in Southern Leyte; and Naval, Cabucgayan, Kawayan, and Mariripi in Biliran.

“PLDT subscribers in Leyte may now call their friends, family members, and business associates – regardless of their telco connection – anytime without having to worry about long distance charges,” said PLDT Associate Vice President Elmer Lintag in a statement on September 20.

Lintag added that Leyte is now also covered by PLDT’s 100,000-kilometer Domestic Fiber Optic Network which allows for voice, video, and data or triple play services on a single internet protocol (IP) platform.

Earlier this year, PLDT and Globe also set up interconnection links spanning Nabua, Camaligan, Canaman, Naga, Iriga City, Libmanan, Pili, Buhi, Ragay, Calabanga, Baao, Goa, Sipocot, Caramoan, and Bula in Camarines Sur.

The agreements also cover Daet, Labo, Talisay, Jose Panganiban, Basud, Paracale, and Sta Elena in Camarines Norte.

Republic Act No. 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.

Earlier this year, the two rival telcos also agreed to an IP peering deal after 6 years of negotiations.

The agreement allows for direct local exchange of data traffic between PLDT’s Philippine Internet Exchange (PhIX) and Globe’s Globe Internet Exchange and is seen to provide consumers with faster and cheaper internet access. – Rappler.com