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By Darwin G. Amojelar, Reporter
THE National Telecommunications
Commission has given the go-signal for the mandatory interconnection
of wireless landline (WLL) network providers without access charges
within local calling area in a move to improve the service.
The regulator on Friday approved
the implementation of memorandum circular 03-05-2008, which states
that no interconnection access charges between interconnected local
exchange carriers (LECs) would be imposed for calls originating from
or terminating WLL subscribers within a local calling area.
“WLL subscribers of duly
enfranchised and authorized public telecommunications entities shall
be allowed to move around, originate and receive calls anywhere
within a local calling area,” the circular said, emphasizing that
all calls made within a local calling area should be considered
local.
The NTC circular, however, said
that WLL subscriber units registered within a local calling area
should not be allowed outside the permitted area. “WLL operators
shall ensure that no WLL subscribers units registered in one local
calling area are used in another local calling area,” it added.
The circular said signal
spill-over distance of one-kilometer from an authorized calling area
into the next calling area should be allowed.
The NTC circular,
meanwhile, said that WLL calls made outside the local calling area
should be considered national long distance and need to be imposed
interconnection access charges.
In addition, calls made to
cellular phone subscribers will be imposed the appropriate access
charges.
The NTC’s approval of
additional guidelines for WLL service will ensure subscribers a
better link with other telecom network providers.
At end-March, Landline Plus
subscribers of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. stood at
75,000, some 60,000 of which are postpaid and 15,000, prepaid.
Its rival Bayan
Telecommunications Inc. has about 160,000 subscribers in key cities
in Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao.
Globe Telecom Inc. and
Digital Telecommunications Philippines Inc. also offer wireless
landline service through Mango and Globe Wireless Landline,
respectively.
The International Data Corp. has
noted the growing popularity of the service in certain markets as
operators use the technology to offer unlimited voice calls that
resemble services offered by traditional landlines.
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