Globe gets 6 more ISPCs from NTC

By Lenie Lectura
Reporter

THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has granted a request of Globe Telecom for the assignment of six additional international signaling point codes (ISPCs), which are essential in order for the cellular firm to be connected to other countries’ international exchanges.
           
In all, Globe now has 11 ICPCs. The existing five ISPCs are already utilized, said Emmanuel Estrada, Globe head for wireless network master planning division. These five ISPCs were provisioned in its international gateway facilities (IGF) and for international roaming.
           
Since there are still available unassigned ISPCs, the NTC granted Globe’s request, said a November letter of the NTC to the cellular firm.
           
The Globe official said the cellular firm needed six more ISPCs because it foresees an increased number of interconnect requirements until 2008.
           
“Based on the company’s 2006-2008 forecast on international interconnection, there is an increased interconnection requirements especially on international VOIP, or voice over Internet interconnection, with other operators worldwide and international roaming partners,” said Estrada.
           
The Globe official said that with these increased international interconnection requirements, signaling requirements has also significantly increased. This, said Estrada, requires expansion of existing IGFs.
           
“Globe has decided to deploy a new platform, new generation network-based infrastructure, to act as third IGF. The new IGF platform shall now cater to the expansion requirements as well as redundancy of Globe’s international facilities,” added Estrada.
           
The company plans to install one NGN, or new generation network, infrastructure in its network in the National Capital Region and another softswitch in the province for disaster recovery.
           
In addition to these softswitches, gateways will be deployed for media trunking toward different VOIP centers. Estrada said these are the drivers for additional ISPCs.
           
ISPCs are unique addresses for identifying signaling points in the international signaling network connecting the telephone systems of individual countries.
           
One ISPC represents a code with a unique 14-bit format used at the international level for signaling message routing and identification of signaling points involved.