GLOBE Telecom and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. have expanded their interconnected landline service to the provinces of Bataan and Isabela.
In a statement Wednesday, Globe said the agreement allows customers in the two provinces to call users of other telco providers without additional charges. This will allow them to realize savings as they no longer have to pay for long distance charges when calling one another.
The interconnection in Bataan took effect last Dec. 7 while that in Isabela took effect last Dec. 8.
Prior to the interconnection, landline customers of Globelines and other telco providers were charged with long distance rates when making phone calls with one another. With the interconnection, Globe customers can just dial the usual seven-digit telephone number to connect with other telco providers.
“Globe is strongly committed in providing its customers with affordable and easily accessible ways of communication in line with our commitment for nation-building. This is why the company has been aggressively seeking to expand our interconnection with competition to include more areas and provinces in the country,” said Froilan Castelo, Globe general counsel.
Interconnection among telco providers is in line with provisions for compulsory interconnection of authorized public telecommunication carriers under Republic Act 7925.
The law aims to create a universally accessible and fully integrated nationwide telecommunications network to encourage more infrastructure investments from the private sector that would, in the end, benefit consumers.
In addition to Bataan and Isabela, Globe has existing interconnection agreement with its main competition in Metro Manila, Cavite, Iloilo, Batangas, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Leyte, Davao City, Pampanga, Bulacan, Zamboanga, Laguna, Quezon, La Union, Nueva Ecija, and Benguet, General Santos/South Cotabato, Tarlac, Davao del Norte, Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Zambales, Ilocos Sur, Capiz, Cagayan, Nueva Viscaya and Iloilo.