No more long distance charges for calls between Globe, PLDT users in Albay

MANILA, Philippines – Dominant carriers Globe Telecom and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) signed a new interconnection agreement, allowing their subscribers in Albay to call each other without additional long distance charges.

The agreement took effect on August 14, Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo said Monday, August 18.

Prior to the commercial activation of the interconnection, landline customers of both Globe and PLDT were charged with long distance rates 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 telecommunications services,” Castelo said.

Globe and PLDT are already interconnected in Metro Manila and provinces of Batangas, Benguet, Bohol, Bulacan, Capiz, Cavite, Cebu, Davao Del Norte, South Cotabato, Iloilo, La Union, Laguna, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Quezon, Tarlac, and Zamboanga.

“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,” Castelo added.

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

Apart from PLDT, Globe is also open to discussions for potential interconnection arrangements with other local carriers, Castelo said.

No more long distance charges

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.

The law also encourages more infrastructure investments from the private sector that will benefit consumers.

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 each other. – Rappler.com

Network and power cables image from Shutterstock