Smart accused of deliberately stalling linkup with Infocom

Infocom Communications Network Inc. (Infocom), operator of Nextel digital trunked radios, has charged Smart Communications Inc. of deliberately delaying interconnection between both parties despite a standing order from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

In an opposition to the motion for reconsideration filed by Smart before the NTC last January, Infocom noted that while it could receive calls from Smart through the Philippine Long Distance Co., subscribers of Nextel could not access the cellular giant's network.

"The motion for reconsideration is yet another black thread being woven by Smart into a suffocating tapestry of delay and deception that has been suffered by the Commission to grow so long. Enough already," Infocom said.

Infocom, thus, asked the NTC to deny Smart's motion and direct the latter to comply with the interconnection directive or lose its authority to operate.

Smart has been questioning the basis for the regulatory body's link-up order compelling the two companies to pay each other an interim amount of P1.50 per minute for calls passing through their respective networks.

The amount is equivalent to 50 percent of the lowest rate being imposed by mobile phone providers on their subscribers.

Smart, though, proposed a P0.50 per minute interconnection charge which is much lower than the P1.50 and P1 per minute arrangement it has with Isla Communications Co. (Islacom) and Globe Telecom, respectively.

Smart claimed that since Nextel is a trunked radio operator, it has no authority to charge the same rate as that of other mobile phone providers.

"If an interconnection charge is mandated, then, it should be equal to one half only of the existing interconnection charge between the two leading cellular phone operators. Smart maintains that what is fair and reasonable is P0.50 and that P1.50 is excessive and unreasonable," the motion for reconsideration said.

Nextel originally asked for P5.50 per minute on top of the prevailing airtime rates but was refused by Smart.

Infocom, said there is nothing new in Smart's arguments which are still centered on the amount both parties should pay for interconnecting their facilities.

"For the nth time, the access charge has nothing to do with the fact that Infocom is not a cellular phone operator. Even as a trunked radio operator, Infocom has the right to be interconnected to Smart's network. Traffic flows in both directions and so both parties must be compensated," Infocom said.