Wednesday, October 29, 2008 [ manilatimes.net ]
PHILIPPINE Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) said rival Globe Telecom Inc. can provide telecommunication services in the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) as long as it enters into an interconnection agreement.
The country’s largest telecom company had sought a temporary restraining order (TRO) before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to bar the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) from implementing Memorandum Circular 065-05-2002, allowing a Globe unit, Innove Communications Inc., to offer services in the contested area.
In a filing with the NTC, PLDT said its service exclusivity within the Bonifacio Global City does not bar Innove or any other telco from providing redundant services.
“PLDT’s service exclusivity is simply a private marketing arrangement that gives it a preference as a particular carrier within the [area],” the telco said adding that Innove can still come in to offer and provide services within the area.
PLDT further said that since the company and Bonifacio Communications Corp. (BCC) were the first to set up valuable installations for telecom services in the area, Innove should enter into interconnection and bilateral agreements with the two parties.
“Innove or any other public telecommunications entity desiring to provide redundant services in [the area] should necessarily seek interconnection with the existing infrastructures and service lines,” PLDT said.
PLDT said its offer to Globe is “fair” to protect the company’s investment as a competitor and BCC as a private corporation.
“BCC and PLDT underscore that interconnection of networks has been a recognized and prescribed mode of operation and peaceful coexistence between competitors and service providers,” the telco said.
-- Darwin G. Amojelar
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