PLDT Inc. and International Carriers, the wholesale arm of multinational telecommunications operator Orange S.A., have signed a partnership agreement for international voice aggregation services.
In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Monday, the Pangilinan-led company said that “Orange will handle all global inbound traffic terminating on the PLDT and Smart network.”
PLDT also said the partnership deal includes support from the global sales team of Orange during the implementation of voice traffic management solutions.
“In a move to increase voice traffic and security, Orange will guarantee the value of PLDT voice traffic with its industry-leading anti-fraud voice solutions,” it added.
“We are excited to partner with a global expert who understands what we do and helps us do it better. This partnership with Orange is part of a broader PLDT Group program to improve customer experiences in and outside of the Philippines,” Katrina Luna-Abelarde, first vice president and head of PLDT-Smart International and Carrier Business Group and president of PLDT Global Corporation, was quoted as saying.
She said the partnership also aims “to consistently deliver the best call experience for overseas Filipinos and all [its] customers worldwide.”
For his part, Chief Executive Officer of International Carriers at Orange Emmanuel Rochas said: “Orange is proud that PLDT has selected Orange to provide support and protect market value for the future and we are delighted to enter into this partnership. I look forward to working alongside PLDT to embrace the market evolution and I am confident that this partnership will develop to our mutual benefit.”
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Arjay L. Balinbin
