LINGAYEN—Seventeen years after the telecommunications industry in the country was deregulated, which paved the way for the entry of several new players to compete with long-time solo provider Philippine Long Distance Company (PLDT), interconnection remains a problem.

Here in Pangasinan, Innove Communications, the landline arm of Globe Telecom Inc., and PLDT have yet to seal a connection agreement, leaving their respective users unable to call those of the other.

The problem has prompted Fifth District Board Member Clemente Arboleda Jr. to file a resolution last week ordering the two giant telecom companies to hasten their interconnection deal.

Arboleda underscored in his resolution that interconnection between public networks is compulsory pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 7925, The Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines, and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Memorandum Circular 14-7-2000.

PLDT is already interconnected with the other telecommunications provider serving the province, Digital Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. (Digitel).

Arboleda noted that PLDT and Globe have been in discussion for local interconnection since last year and the NTC had already intervened but nothing has come out of the talks.–Eva Visperas

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