Smart Communications Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. expressed optimism the country’s anti-trust body will clear them of anti-competitive behavior allegation in the complaint filed by DITO Telecommunity Corp.
Smart said it was “confident that the PCC will, in due course, clear it of any wrongdoing in respect of DITO’s reported complaint.”
The company said it was willing to assist and cooperate in the preliminary inquiry by PCC’s Competition Enforcement Office.
The PCC earlier said it found “reasonable grounds” to probe into the complaints filed by DITO against Globe and Smart over the alleged anti-competitive behavior.
“Smart’s dealings with its competitors have always been animated by the spirit of fair play and good faith, because it believes that its core strength lies in its superior network and overall customer experience that have gained it millions of happy subscribers, and its actions relating to DITO are no exception,” the company said.
“To this end, Smart takes its duty to interconnect with other telcos seriously. Thus, beyond simply facilitating network interconnections, it has invested and continues to invest heavily in infrastructure that secures the interconnection ecosystem, including effectively detecting and blocking fraudulent calls emanating from its network for the protection of its own and its competitors’ subscribers, DITO’s included,” it said.
Smart said DITO should address the serious and continuing deficiencies in its network before the company could act on DITO’s request for increase in interconnection capacity.
Globe said a fair and healthy competitive environment is necessary to promote consumer welfare.
“Specifically, Globe welcomes the opportunity to present to the PCC how DITO violated the terms and conditions of its Interconnection Agreement with us which prompted the filing of a previous case with the NTC,” Globe said.
“Globe is committed to comply with regulatory requirements while continuing to advocate for fair business practices,” it said.
DITO chief administrative officer Adel Tamano welcomed the PCC finding to move forward with its complaint against Globe and Smart for alleged abuse of their dominant position.
“From the onset this case has not been about more commercial terms but rather is about public interest in interconnection between the telco players and fostering genuine competition in the industry,” Tamano said.
