Key Definitions
- Defines critical terms including Access Charges, Access Deficit, Access Provider/Seeker, Billing Information, Cellular Mobile Telephone System (CMTS), Interconnection, Local Exchange Carrier (LEC), Major Supplier, Market Power, Network Elements, and Value-Added Services, among others.
- Provides a framework for consistent interpretation of telecommunications concepts.
General Principles of Interconnection
- Interconnection should enable any-to-any communication among PTEs.
- Ensure end-to-end interoperability and service quality.
- Fair, timely, and efficient interconnection with equal responsibility on all PTEs.
- Interconnection agreements must align with government policies and international commitments.
- Interconnection mandated for all authorized PTEs without discrimination.
Objectives and General Provisions
- Protect consumer interests and promote transparent, competitive telecommunications markets.
- Ensure universal, seamless nationwide network integration.
- Enable direct or indirect interconnection depending on geographic and technical feasibility.
- Promote fair, non-discriminatory access and timely service.
Obligations of PTEs
- Provide cost-based interconnection and access to network elements.
- Negotiate in good faith and supply necessary data and network features.
- Prohibit anti-competitive behavior especially by Major Suppliers.
- Promote equal treatment in terms, conditions, and operational quality.
- Prohibit disconnection or disruption of interconnection without Commission approval.
Interconnection Agreements Procedure
- Formal negotiation initiated by access seeker with detailed information requirements.
- 90-day timeframe to negotiate and submit agreement for Commission approval.
- Commission may mediate or arbitrate unresolved disputes, mandating interconnection terms if necessary.
- Minimum agreement terms include financial, commercial, technical, operational, and legal provisions.
Call Measurement and Settlement
- Both outgoing and incoming calls measured and billing managed by respective PTEs.
- Settlement statements exchanged monthly with dispute resolution mechanisms.
- Specific provisions detailing reconciliation of billing disagreements.
- International IGF operators handle collection from foreign administrations.
Points of Interconnection (POI) and Facility Responsibilities
- POIs established at mutually agreed technical points or as mandated.
- LECs program access codes for IXC/IGF to ensure customer choice.
- Cost sharing of interconnect facilities generally on 50-50 basis, with exceptions.
- Parties responsible for maintenance and upgrades within their premises.
Technical and Operational Standards
- Compliance with national technical standards and service performance requirements mandatory.
- Joint cooperation for testing, fault reporting, and maintenance.
- Grade of Service standards ensure minimal call blocking.
- Mechanisms for capacity forecasting, provisioning, and adjustment.
Cost and Charging Principles
- Charges must reflect underlying costs: fixed costs incur fixed charges, usage costs incur usage charges.
- Charges must be transparent, unbundled, cost-based, and non-discriminatory.
- Distinction between basic interconnection services and ancillary services with respective charging guidelines.
- Special interconnect subsidies for Local Exchange Carriers (LECs) in high-cost or universal access areas.
Access to Network Elements and Collocation
- Access to network elements provided on unbundled basis to enable competitive service provision.
- Physical and virtual collocation offered on first-come, first-served basis subject to technical feasibility.
- Providers must facilitate reasonable space allocation and connection arrangements.
- Prohibitions on collocation of switching or billing equipment for enhanced services.
International Gateway Operations
- Re-routing capabilities mandated to maintain service continuity during outages.
- Parties responsible for operation, maintenance, safety of equipment and facilities on their premises.
Maintenance and Fault Management
- Agreed maintenance procedures following Commission and international standards.
- Timely fault reporting and clearance with mutual assistance between parties.
Force Majeure
- Obligation relief clauses for events such as eminent domain, war, rebellion, natural disasters, or lawful government orders.
Confidentiality
- Strict confidentiality of all interconnection-related information except when disclosure is legally required or consented.
Penalties for Violations
- Administrative fines, suspension of applications, disqualification of personnel, suspension of rates without service disruption.
- Discouragement of financial institutions from lending to violating PTEs.
Interpretation and Transition
- Rules to be liberally interpreted to encourage interconnection.
- Parties may enter agreements exceeding mandated terms for mutual benefit.
- Transitional periods granted for existing agreements to comply and for technical capability installations.
Final Provisions
- Severability clause ensuring partial invalidity does not affect whole rules.
- Repeal of inconsistent prior regulations.
- Effectivity 15 days after publication with procedural requirements for distribution.