The Philippines’ two Leading telecoms players, PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom, have signed a bilateral IP peering agreement to improve local internet traffic quality.
With the peering arrangement, PLDT and Globe will now allow direct local exchange of traffic between PLDT’s Philippine Internet Exchange (PhIX) and Globe Internet Exchange (GIX) that is destined to each other’s own broadband and mobile customers.
Ernesto R. Alberto, PLDT Executive Vice President and Head of Enterprise, said by keeping local traffic local, the internet speed would improve for subscribers of both telcos.
“The intention here is to keep local traffic within the country which should lower latency due to less hops and thus, should result in marked improvements in fixed broadband and mobile internet services in the country,” Alberto noted.
Under the agreement, Globe will install a 10Gbps link and port for domestic peering between Globe and PLDT (GIX-PHIX). The bilateral domestic peering will cover PLDT-managed networks such as Smart, Sun and Digitel and the Globe networks that include Globe mobile, Bayantel, Ayalaport and Globe data center.
It does not, however, cover the Vitro Internet Exchange, which houses PLDT’s data centers as Globe already has an existing peering arrangement with Vitro involving a 10Gbps link.
"We are happy with this landmark development considering the benefits to our customers in terms of internet experience,” said Gil Genio, Globe Chief Technology and Information Officer.
About 20% of internet traffic is local, which means that traffic originates in the Philippines and terminates in the Philippines. As provided for in the agreement, both Globe and PLDT will provide a 3Gbps per month free traffic threshold.
Once implemented, the IP peering arrangement between the two telcos will keep a substantial portion of local data traffic in the country, thus, the elapsed transmission and reception time are kept to a minimum. This, in turn, allows for shorter access-to-response time and faster access to applications.
PLDT said it is also looking into local caching as another effective measure to improve internet speed in the country.
“PLDT is working with global internet players like Google, Youtube, Facebook and Microsoft to store more popular internet content in the Philippines so Filipinos can access this more quickly,” said Ray C. Espinosa, PLDT Head of Legal and Regulatory Group and a member of the PLDT Board of Directors.