Nicta: Telcos connected

VODAFONE has signed agreements with Digicel and Telikom to ensure interconnection with the two networks, National Information and Communications Technology (Nicta) chief executive officer Kila Gulo-Viu says.
“Telikom and Vodafone concluded interconnection agreement last Wednesday. This a very important development in the context of competition as both subscribers from these networks can talk to each other.
“Vodafone also has a separate interconnection agreement with Digicel. Vodafone customers can call and text all subscribers now, whether you are with Telikom/bmobile or Digicel,” he said.
Digicel PNG senior vice-president Lorna McPherson confirmed that calls and texts between the two networks were now flowing smoothly.
Information and Communications Technology secretary Steven Matainaho earlier said interconnection was a declared service under the National ICT Act.
“This means it is regulated and all operators are required to comply by that to ensure that there is interconnection,” he added.
Vodafone PNG regional chief executive officer Pradeep Lal said at its launch last month that Vodafone was launching with just over 500 base stations, covering Port Moresby, Lae, Madang, Mt Hagen and Goroka.