When telecom providers began
opening cellular networks for mobile phones, one issue that came to the
forefront was how the networks were mostly restricted to within itself. Mobile
users within the same network provider could communicate, but not with others “outside.”
This was solved when the government began calling for mobile network
interconnectivity. Originally it seemed in the best interests of the networks
to remain separate to make consumers choose, until DITO Telecommunity arose as
the “third telco” alternative, making isolated networks impractical. First,
DITO needs to interconnect with the existing telecom networks, and Globe
Telecom was first to assent.
According to the Philippine Star, partial interconnectivity
has just been achieved between Globe Telecom and DITO Telecommunity, the new
telecom provider in the country that commenced commercial operations in March
(for Vis-Min) and this past week (for Luzon). Now, both Globe and DITO customers
can make mobile calls and send SMS to one another. As Globe general counsel
Froilan Castelo puts it, “This effort is a reflection of Globe’s commitment to
fair and healthy competition in the telco industry, as well as its adherence to
the rules and regulations prevailing in competition and telecom laws.”
Full interconnection will be some
time yet, as landline services between DITO and Globe are still to be linked.
But these steps are in line with Republic Act 7925, which compels all
authorized public telecom carriers to have interconnectivity, in order to have
an integrated telecom network that is universally accessible anywhere in the
country. Once realized, the national network should be able to entice the
private sector to further invest in interconnecting infrastructure between the telcos,
the better to benefit all of their respective consumers as an entire whole.
As for the other major telecom provider,
PLDT-Smart Communications, they have entered into an agreement with DITO
Telecommunity back in February for their side of interconnection. This will be
done by the construction of a transmission facility that will handle
communications traffic between their respective networks. No timeframe for when
this facility will be built has been given, although it would probably be
sometime soon.
Image courtesy of GMA News
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