Bayan, PLDT sign interconnection pact

Bayan Telecommunications Inc. has signed a local network interconnection deal in the province of Camarines Sur with dominant carrier Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.

The move will help boost its leadership position in the Bicol market in its mission to continue to serve its subscribers and business customers in CamSur.

“We are pleased with this development with the support from NTC as interconnection will further spur economic activity in Camarines Sur,” Bayan carrier business head Marvic Molina said.

He said this was in line with the company’s “vision to bring out the best in the lives of Filipinos through quality communication services.”

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

Without interconnection, a Bayan landline subscriber would have to pay long-distance rates to call a PLDT landline subscriber within the same area, and vice-versa.

For its part, the National Telecommunications Commission said the new deal would benefit thousands of consumers in the Bicol area.

“This endeavor, in cooperation with Bayan and PLDT, is a testament to the commission’s continued thrust of improving telecommunications services that ultimately benefits our countrymen,” NTC Deputy Commissioner Delilah F. Deles said.