Question & AnswerQ&A (NTC MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 8-9-95)
Access Charge refers to the remuneration paid to a carrier by interconnecting carriers for accessing its facilities needed for the origination and/or termination of all types of traffic derived from the interconnection.
Bypass refers to a situation where an entity other than a local exchange service operator provides long distance service by directly accessing a customer within the authorized local exchange service area of a duly authorized local exchange operator.
An LE operator must provide universal basic telephone service capable of accessing local, national, international, and other networks without discrimination within its authorized service area and approved schedule.
Expansion or extension of long distance service directly to customers within another LE's area is allowed only if: 1) the authorized LE fails to provide service within specified response times, 2) interconnection arrangements are not provided within 90 days, or 3) agreed compensation is paid to the authorized LE, with prior Commission approval.
The NTC is the principal administrator of RA 7925 and is responsible for implementing its rules and regulations, but the Department of Transportation and Communications retains the power to monitor RA 7925 implementation according to its mandate.
Interconnection charges consist of an access charge plus a subsidy. The access charge is based on the actual cost of interconnection, and the subsidy ensures that the LE operator earns a rate of return at parity with other telecommunications segments.
Bills must be received within 15 days after billing cycles; complaints must be acted upon within 30 days by PTEs; customers may file complaints with the Commission if unsatisfied, which shall be acted upon within 30 days as well.
Rates for specific services may be deregulated if competition suffices; promotional rates up to 15 days do not need approval but must be notified; rate increases require a quasi-judicial proceeding and provisional authority may be granted.
A Public Telecommunications Entity (PTE) is an entity authorized to own, operate, and maintain public telecommunications facilities and services under the franchise and regulatory framework of RA 7925 and the NTC.
Interconnecting parties must negotiate; if no agreement is reached, either party can bring the dispute to the NTC for final resolution pursuant to NTCMC 9-7-93.