THE much anticipated interconnection between Digicel and Telikom’s mobile network and fixed lines, scheduled for today, will not happen.
This was because Telikom PNG Ltd was not ready, a Digicel spokesperson said yesterday.
Telikom has physically connected to Digicel systems only in Port Moresby, but not the other three centres of Lae, Mt Hagen and Kokopo.
Before interconnection happens, both networks need to be tested to ensure what they are giving customers, is a satisfactory product. This has not happened yet.
“We cannot interconnect tomorrow (today). The networks have not been tested yet. We need four days for this. We’ve been waiting for Telikom since Saturday to do its testing,” the Digicel spokesperson said last night when asked to confirm that interconnection was not going to take place as anticipated by the public.
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Tests have to be carried out on Digicel to B Mobile calls and vice versa and Digicel to Telikom’s fixed line and vice versa. The billing of calls during interconnection also needs to be tested before a commercial launch, the spokesperson said.
“The only thing that has happened so far is that Telikom have physically connected only in Port Moresby, and there are three centres more to go. And we haven’t even tested Port Moresby.”
Both Telikom and Digicel have also not agreed to pricing, although both have assured that this will happen in the near future.
Both companies also hold differing views on Digicel’s international gateway licence.
The international gateway is the equipment that connects Papua New Guinea to the outside world.
While Digicel and Telikom continue to discuss access to Telikom’s international gateway, Digicel says that in accordance with national legislation, Digicel’s mobile licence permits it to operate its own international gateway, and this would allow the Irish company to offer its customers very competitive international rates.
Digicel says if it is forced to stop using its own international gateway, this would result in Digicel customers having to accept Telikom’s congestion problems, quality of service and increased retail rates, and that customers would be prevented from internationally roaming or making or receiving international text messages.
But Telikom yesterday rejected Digicel’s claim, saying they were ready to interconnect.
Telikom’s chief executive officer Peter Loko said Telikom interconnection is entirely ready, for all calls, by Jan 31.
“Telikom calls, B Mobile and fixed line could successfully terminate in Boroko Exchange and could be routed to Digicel as of now,” Mr Loko said, rejecting the notion that they were not ready in the three other centres.
He said the radio link between the Boroko Exchange and the Digicel Tower was completed last Saturday by his engineers.
Telikom insists that Digicel must give up its international gateway licence during interconnection, and said its international gateway had enough capacity to take on Digicel calls.
Mr Loko rejected fears that there would be congestion and increased costs.
He accused Digicel of failing to get back to Telikom on a written proposal on interconnection pricing, delivered to Digicel on Dec 17.