THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) should craft a new interconnection model for VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) service providers in lieu of the current scheme used to access cellular and public switch phone networks, said the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) said.

“VoIP having been considered by the Commission as VAS [value added service] should be differentiated from regular voice services… An appropriate interconnection model for VoIP should be established based on sound principles,” PLDT said in a position paper submitted to the NTC. 

The interconnection model for VoIP should be flexible to consider factors such as technological development, foreign exchange fluctuations and other economic variables, PLDT said.

The NTC may consider several interconnection approaches that include the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) position on pricing, billing and interconnection in an NGN (New Generation Network) environment.

The paper provides various options that may be worth considering, said PLDT.

Neda (National Economic Development Authority) could also be requested to assess the socio-economic impact of the proposed rates caps set by the NTC.

“Neda can look into the macro-economic impact that may affect the different sectors of the economy, including the telecoms industry,” PLDT added.

With local service still priced below cost, the required cost subsidy of local exchange carriers from toll services will be adversely affected. To recover loss in subsidy, operators will be pressured to increase their local service rates. “This therefore defeats the main objective of VoIP which is to lower call rates,” PLDT said.

VoIP is a technology which allows phone calls to be made on a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular phone line. VoIP services can work over a computer, a special VOIP phone, and a traditional phone with an adaptor. 

LOPEZ-led media giant ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. said Central CATV will start contributing substantially to its revenue this year alongside global operations unit ABS-CBN Global.

PLDT seeks interconnection model

THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) should craft a new interconnection model for VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) service providers in lieu of the current scheme used to access cellular and public switch phone networks, said the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) said.

THE Primer Group of Cos., distributors of world-class World Traveller luggage brand, and Gyroplane Rotorcraft Inc., local operator of gyroplanes, have entered into a partnership agreement.

CEBU Pacific (CEB) over the weekend launched its Cebu-Macau and Cebu-Bangkok direct flights, with a view to catch for the Philippines a spillover of Europeans who transit through the Asian cities.

SEMIRARA Mining Corp., a majority-owned unit of DMCI Holdings Inc., said its net profit rose to P633.3 million last year, up 5.3 percent from P601.2 million a year earlier.

The query here is whether or not the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has the power to compel the officers of any registered corporation, partnership or association to call for a stockholders’ meeting.