DITO Telecommunity Corp. said Monday it filed a complaint with the Philippine Competition Commission against Globe Telecom Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. for allegedly blocking about 70 percent to 80 percent of calls made by its subscribers to the rival networks.
DITO chief administrative officer Adel Tamano told reporters the company filed an “anti-competitive behavior” complaint against Globe and Smart over network interconnection.
“We are constrained to file these cases because it’s unfair to our subscribers. When Smart and Globe call us they get through, but when we call we are unable [to connect],” he said.
“They have refused to really provide genuine interconnection,” Tamayo said.
The Philippine Competition Commission confirmed it received two separate complaints filed by DITO against the two networks for possible anti-competitive practice in their interconnection agreements.
Interconnection is an essential component of the telecommunications industry as it allows interoperability and exchange of calls, SMS and other information from one network to another.
The PCC said the Competition Enforcement Office was evaluating the merits of DITO’s complaints. The commission has 10 days to decide whether or not to give due course to the complaint.
DITO chief technology officer Rodolfo Santiago said 70 to 80 of every 100 calls to Smart and Globe were unable to connect. “Our subscribers are mad because of poor interconnection,” he said.
The National Telecommunications Commission set a minimum grade service of 1 for every 100 calls.
“As of right now, the state of interconnection between us, Smart and Globe is we are actually in a state of non-connection,” Tamano said.
DITO now has a market share of 5 percent with total subscriber base of 11.4 million.
“We’re not asking money from you, we only want to be interconnected,” Tamano said.
Smart and Globe said they have yet to receive a copy of DITO’s complaint.
“We are yet to receive a copy of the complaint, but we can assure the government and the public that PLDT and Smart have always supported and ensured fair competition in the telco industry,” Smart said.
Globe spokesperson Yolanda Crisanto said the company has not yet received a copy of the complaint. “Until such time, we will refrain from releasing any statement on the matter,” she said.