PLDT Olongapo Activated the New Generation System

As NTC gives nod for Clark, Subic phone interconnection

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has given the go-ahead signal to an initiative to interconnect the two telephone systems operating in Clark and Subic Freeports, saying the interconnection “are within NTC existing rules and regulations.”

The go-ahead signal is contained in a letter sent by NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba to Clark Development Corp.’s Angelo “Sonny” Lopez Jr. in response to the latter’s query on the legality of such interconnection.

Lopez, through the Metro Clark Advisory Council (MCAC), has requested a certificate or clearance showing that the proposed interconnection of phone lines has not violated NTC rules and regulations.

The Olongapo City Council on the other hand through the Olongapo Telecom Board headed by Councilor Ed Piano submitted resolution

2009 R - 29 - A RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE INTERCONNECTION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES OF SUBIC-CLARK-TARLAC GROWTH CORRIDOR

and 2009 R - 116 - A RESOLUTION ENJOINING ALL TELECOM SERVICE PROVIDERS IN OLONGAPO CITY, SUBIC BAY FREEPORT AND ZAMBALES TO IMMEDIATELY IMPLEMENT THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION COMMISSION MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR 09-07-2007 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE INTERCONNECTION OF LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS

It can be remembered that in 2005, the one-rate one-province policy was implemented after intensive lobbying by the Olongapo Telecom Board. This resulted in the removal of Extended Area Service (EAS) and National Distance Dialling charges for calls within Zambales, Olongapo City and Subic Freeport.

Resolution No. 11 (Series of 2005) A Resolution Requiring Imlementation and Enforcement of One Rate, One Province Policy as Mandated by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Memorandum Circular No. 14-7-2000 to Public Telecommunication Entities Concerned.

With PLDT's migration to New Generation System and utilization of fibre-optic cables, such new features as caller ID and faster DSL can now be enjoyed by local consumers.

Additionally, calling to Bataan province has also been covered by the one-rate policy making calls to Bataan not any more requiring NDD.

With this development, the residents of Olongapo, Zambales, Bataan and Pampanga; and the locators and investors inside the Subic and Clark Freeport will now save at least P20 million yearly on long distance calls because of the project.