Telecommunication Issues: June 2009

Behind BlackBerry Restriction Import

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

RIM certification has been declined until the Canada’s company set up presents service centre in Indonesia. Group Head Marketing and Brand Indosat, Teguh Prasetya regretted the government’s decision. He expected a while time to prepare before the policy executed to maximize the stocks. Telematics practitioner, Faizal Adiputra viewed the decision made is not the best choice for both parties. According Faizal, main problems is RIM appointed partners as pick up point service and it is assumed as part of after sales service. In the other hand, government refers to regulation that after sales service should be set up in Indonesia. / Koran Jakarta, pg 16

Solar cell cellular

Teguh Prasetya Indosat Brand Marketing Group Head introduced first solar cell cellular in Indonesia during Indonesia Cellular Show 2009. ‘As long as there is a sun light, solar cell cellular will automatically recharging so it is functioning whenever and wherever it is,’ explained Teguh. Teguh mentioned, Indosat will bundle the cellular with Mentari prepaid service especially the newly introduced Obral-Obrol program. A program make possible customer for unlimited chat will be more meaningful once facilitated by unlimited energy handset as well. Handset along with the service predictably to roll out on July-August 2009. / Republika, pg 24

Axis Supports Soulnation again

PT Natrindo Telepon Seluler (NTS) by its Axis will sponsor again music event of Second Axis Jakarta International Java Soulnation Festival ke 2. Soulnation is music festival for youth generation style of RB, hip hop, rap and soul), and will be combined with some interesting performances. The event will be held in Jakarta on October 30-31, 2009./ Republika, pg 26, Warta Kota, pg 18

Fren Duo Optimists to gain 250 thousand usrs

PT Mobile-8 Telecom optimists by the launching of Fren Duo, the company could gain 250 thousand customers in East Java and Bali. To focus in this product, Mobile 8 is stopping Hepi starter pack production, and will sell out the stock. Group Head of Sales East PT Mobile-8 Telecom Tbk Jusuf Kurniawan stated Fren Duo is a starterpack with two numbers of Fren and Hepi. The product is expected to give solution to provide cheap mobile telecommunication service. / Investor Daily, pg 24

Cheap iPhone 3G packages

Telkomsel offers cheap packages to iPhone 3G. Vice President-channel management Telkomsel, Gideon Edi Purnomo explained that in order to purchase iPhone 3G, no longer use the cash advance recently "Customers can buy in installments for 12 months," said Gideon in Jakarta, last week. In addition to the new package, Telkomsel also introduced the latest iPhone operating system 3.0 for iPhone users. User can also download up grade the applications in this AppleStore. / Republika, pg 26

Telkomsel to utilize SMS solution from ACISION

Telkomsel employs the ACISION’s Message Plus and SMS Pro to protect its customers from unsolicited SMS or spam. The solution also enables the 75 million Telkomsel’s customers to automatically respond to SMS, to forward it, to copy it to other number and providing a ten numbers SMS white list. “We are committed to provide a more personal SMS experience to our customers,” said General Manager Marketing Communications Telkomsel Nirwan Lesmana in a press release, Monday (6/29). / Investor Daily, pg 24, Bisnis Indonesia, pg I8

Telkom and Ancol set up cooperation

Cooperation between Telkom Divre II and PT Taman Impian Jaya Ancol brings values to two companies as well as provides benefit to public. Telkom press release stated all Flexi users get discount to enter Ancol area such as Dufan, Gelanggang Samudra, and Sea World up to 20%. They also received SMS Blast that informed Telkom-Ancol promotion. / Bisnis Indonesia, pg I7

BlackBerry operator lost US$ 1.8 million - Depkominfo threatened to halt BlackBerry totally

Monday, June 29, 2009

Telecommunication operator partner of Research in Motion (RIM/BlackBerry producer) potentially lost over US$ 1.8 million per month, if government keep barred the incoming newest BlackBerry. PT Indosat Tbk Brand Marketing Group Head, Teguh Prasetya described operator partner of RIM at average able to sell 3,000 unit BlackBerry per month. Average price per unit of US $ 600 so that the operator potentially lost estimated US $ 1.8 million per month. / Bisnis Indonesia, pg I8

Huawei works on Axis billing

Huawei Technologies was appointed by PT Natrindo Telepon Seluler (NTS) to set up and handle Axis postpaid billing. Ma Yue, President Director PT Huawei Tech Investment said the operator faces hard challenge to provide various wireless standard services and to fulfill customer’s need in broadband service. / Bisnis Indonesia, pg I8

Fate of FREN Rupiah bond decided today (29/6)

Today, PT Mobile-8 Telecom Tbk (FREN)Rupiah bond holder will hold on general bond holder meeting worth of 675 billion. On the meeting, FREN management will deliberate some restructuring scenario. Previously, three scheme of restructuring has been discussed, which are prolonged due date, easier interest payment and outstanding interest payment postponement./ Kontan, pg 4

BTEL has not utilize its data stream to the max

PT Bakrie Telecom Tbk does not intend to boost its data service, as what its competitor has been doing lately. The Vice President of PT Bakrie Telecom Tbk Erik Meijer disclosed yesterday that the data service is a specific market niche that is demanded mostly by the middle-upper classes. / Bisnis Indonesia, pg I8

XL Sustain Cheap SMS Tariff Program

As many as 18 students from various regions won the competition of writing text message accurately and rapidly that was held by Excelcomindo Pratama (EP), the operator of XL, through the program of XL SMS Heroes. EP Vice President for Easter Area Kencono Wibowo stated that the competition was not merely aimed to test the rapidness in writing text message, but also to show the public how beneficial XL cheap SMS program was. By sending eight messages, customers gained free total 300 messages to any users of any operators. Among the 300, 240 for other XL users, while 60 for other operator users. / Investor Daily, pg 24

How to make Telkom remain competitive

As broadband networks become increasingly available in Indonesia, it is now possible for a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network to be implemented as a national telecom, provided the state telecommunications company, PT Telkom, integrates VoIP into its Public Telephone Service Network (PSTN) system (the traditional telephony). Telkom has in fact already begun losing its market share, particularly in long distance and international calling, precisely because it has not implemented a VoIP network. Simply put, as more Telkom subscribers turn to VoIP, the less dependent they are on PSTN. / The Jakarta Post, pg 16

Indosat gain 3 awards

Friday, June 26, 2009

Indosat collected awards of Most Favorite Operator The Best Value Added Services for Matirx and The Best Mobile Banking Services for Mentari in the event Selular Award 2009. "Three awards are proofing public trust on Indosat quality and innovation,” said Suharso W. Sulistyo, Group Head Value Added Service Marketing Indosat, yesterday. (Bisnis Indonesia, pg I7)

Postpaid services, from Huawei to Axis

AXIS, operator 3G and GSM appointed Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei) to implement and handle postpaid billing system for its postpaid service. The postpaid billing system will enable Axis to provide integrated product management and customer services. (Kontan, pg 15)

XL is the Best CSR

PT Excelcomindo Pratama (XL) appointed as Best Corporate Social Responsibly (CSR) in Selular Award 2009. GM Corporate Communication XL Myra Junor said the award certaintly bring spirit to continue developing Indonesia Achieve Program and other CSRs. (Bisnis Indonesia, pg I7, Warta Kota, pg 32)

Telkomsel win the Best Operator 6th Seluler Award

Telkomsel earned two prestigious awards on the 6th Seluler Award 2009. Operator owns Simpati, As and Halo brand achieved the Best of the Best Operator and Best GSM operator category. (Okezone.com)

Operator to stop selling BlackBerry

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Depkominfo order telecommunication operator to stop selling the BlackBerry newest type without certificate obtained. All due to certificate entitlement halted till the producer, Research In Motion (RIM), accomplished the after sales service condition. It is mentioned by Depkominfo Head of Information and Public relations Bureau, Gatot S Dewa Broto in Jakarta, Tuesday (23/6). He took the example of iPhone of Apple, while entering Indonesia developing the service center at once. ‘Why BlackBerry long after coming in not doing the same thing,’ added him. / Investor Daily, pg 24, Rakyat Merdeka, pg 14, Koran Tempo, pg A12, Koran Jakarta, pg 16

BWA Tender Participants Decrease 68%

The observer of telecommunication business from University of Indonesia, Gunawan Wibisono, stated that the withdrawal of many Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) tender participants was partly due to the pessimism of small operator to compete with big operators with bigger capital. The other cause, he said, was that participant operators must face tight competition when operating in big cities and provide bigger investment when operating in sub-urban areas due to the lack of sufficient infrastructure in the area. Indosat Mega Media and Indosat were two among 23 companies submitting bidding documents in the tender. / Sinar Harapan, pg 15

Indosat customer dropped into 33.3 million

The lower price of starter kit and cellular phone load made stock of unused cellular number to rise. Consumer tends to choose new number rather then reloading. ‘Three million number were found on first quarter 2009 clean up,’ explained Adita Irawati, PT Indosat Tbk (ISAT) Public Relations Division Head. While Indosat customer number indeed decreasing. At the end of 2008, the number stayed at 36 millions. Nevertheless, subsequent to the clean up it shrunk into 33.3 millions. / Kompas.com, 24/6 – 16:06

Three’s strong signal covers isolated areas

Hutchison CP Telecommunication presents ”Three’s strong signal” in the village of Komara, the district of North Polobangkeng, Takalar, South Sulawesi since the end of May 2009. For the village, Three donated six public pay phone units based on GSM 3, 20 computers and 8 internet modems which were installed in the office of the village chief, the public health clinic, the state elementary school number 54, the presidential instruction school (SD Inpres) number 171 and the state junior high school number 3 Polut. The grant of the donation was made by the Minister of Communication and Information, delegated to the Director of Telecommunication of the Gen. Directorate of Post and Telecommunication Uton Dutono in Makasar, Tuesday (6/23). / Sinar Harapan, pg 15

AXIS appointed Huawei to manage postpaid CBS

AXIS trust the implementation and management of postpaid billing system to Huawei Technologies Co Ltd. ’Huawei has made AXIS strategic partner eversince the company founded. And we’re glad to expand our the cooperation by setting up a new innovative billing system,’ mentioned Johan Buse, AXIS Chief of Marketing. / Okezone, 24/6 –18:08, Indo Pos, pg 23

Department of Finance Agree Upon 3G Frequency Price 160 M

The Department of Finance (Depkeu) agreed upon the price of 3G license as regulated in Menkominfo Decree No. 7/2D06 on Regulation on the Usage of 2.1 GHz Radio Frequency. According to Heru Sutadi (the member of BRTI), Depkeu's decision had strengthened the position of Depkominfo to set the license price according to the lowest price decided on the first tender, which was 160 billion rupiah. All 3G license holders such as Telkomsel, Excelcomindo Pratama, Indosat, Hutchinson CP and Natrindo Telepon Seluler had proposed for bidding price. Only Telkomsel mentioned the price of 160 billion, while other operators such as Excelcomindo Pratama 40 billion and Indosat 30 billion. Excelcomindo Pratama (EP) Director Joy Wahyudi confirmed that the XL operator would delay the plan to add its 3G frequency. / Investor Daliy, pg 24

Excelcomindo to own US$ 600 million

Axiata Group Berhad will shoot US$ 300 million-US$ 600 million of fund to PT Excelcomindo Pratama on fourth tri-semester 2009. The fund will serve the investment and loan refinancing of Excelcomindo. ‘Fund obtained from the right issue of US$ 1 billion planned to give Excelcomindo of US$ 300 million - US$ 600 million. They need to hold the general share holder meeting to endorse the plan,’ mentioned President Director, Hasnul Suhaimi to Bisinis on yesterday. / Bisnis Indonesia, pg F1

Telkomsel signed an agreement with ZTE to build the GSM/UMTS network nationwide

The provider of global telecommunication hardware and network ZTE has signed an agreement with the biggest telecommunication operator in Indonesia, Telkomsel. They have agreed to build the GSM/UMTS network nationwide. ”This is a strategic agreement to the GSM/UMTS network nationwide in order to fulfil our target in covering the high speed data service through the 3G network in 147 cities by the end of 2013,” said the President Director of Telkomsel Sarwoto Atmosutarno. / Okezone, 24/6 –19:11, Bisnis Indonesia, pg I8

Telkom Buy Education Content From ITB

Telkom, through Telkom Solution Business Partner bought content made by ITB Business and Industry Incubator. The content named INDISMART was aimed to support Speedy Schoolnet program, stated Telkom Enterprise and Wholesale Director Arief Yahya in Bandung, Wednesday (24/6/2009). INDISMART was an education content that could be accessed online, contained of educational material for Elementary, Junior High and Senior High School from various subjects. The content was essentially a learning module for students that provide textual and visual learning material to ease students understanding the context of the subject. / Detik.com, 24/6 –17:00, Pikiran Rakyat, pg 24

Import halted, BlackBerry Stocks

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

The decision of The Department of Communication and Information (Depkominfo) to decline BlackBerry certifcation license last month had caused the import of all BlackBerry products to Indonesia halted. Distributors thus only depended upon their stocks. There had been so far four Blackberry distributors in Indonesia, namely Indosat, Excelcomindo Pratama(XL), Telekomunikasi Seluler (Telkomsel) and Natrindo Telepon Seluler (NTS). Natrindo had just joined the club on 10 June 2009. New operators intending to market BlackBerry also faced difficulties. Among them was Smart telecom that was ready to release code division multiple access (CDMA) based BlackBerry this June. Consequently, Smart had to hold back its plan. , Kontan, pg 14, Kompas.com, 22/6 – 22:05, Bisnis Indonesia, pg I8

Cellular chatting facility - While your finger dancing, your conversation flowing

The much lower GPRS connection tariff, made chatting smoother than ever. Yahoo Messenger application as value added services (VAS) of telephone cellular firstly innovated by PT Hutchison CP, 3 operator. Not long after, others to follow such as Telkomsel hurriedly hold on the YM with Telkomsel Chatbox, Indosat (IM3) with Mig33, and Excelcomindo Pratama (XL) with YahoolZone. ‘Mig33 operated by 6 million customer in Indonesia and 4 million of it are Indosat customer,’ mentioned Teguh rasetya, Indosat Brand Marketing Group Head. / Kontan, pg 24

Competing to Sell Pulse with Reason of Holiday Promotion

Operators Hold Big Promotion in Holiday Season - Telephone operators had lavishly provided promotion program to celebrate school holiday. Excelcomindo Pratama (XL) decided upon the tariff of 0,01 rupiah for call and message service, as well as genetnl packet radio service (GPRS) connection for their pre-paid customers. In addition, XL also provided value added service (VAS) such as XL Fun Book, XL Yahoo! Zone and XL Location based Service (LBS). Similarly, Indosat also launched Obral Obrol promotion program in early of June. The program set the tariff of 1.000 rupiah for an hour call. Obral Obrol could be accessed by Mentari and IM3 customers. Indosat also held IM3 Mobile Academy Class 09, where customers could participate in an educative activity such as workshop with IM3. / Kontan, pg 24, Pos Kota, pg A2

”3” hopes to boost its subscription rate through the MU game

The General Manager Sales and Distribution Regional East of Three Henry Panjaitan hopes that the exclusive agreement between Three and the Manchester United (MU) for three and a half seasons to 2012 would boost the subscription rate. Since it began operation in 2007, the GSM brand of Hutchison CP Telecom has garnered 5.3 million subscribers. “In the first quarter of 2008 we had 4.8 million subscribers, now it’s 5.3 million. Hopefully the subscription rate will continue rising after the agreement with the MU for the club has 28 million fans in Indonesia,” said Henry yesterday. Investor Daily, pg 24

Shares of Bakrie Group Support Index

In term of transaction value, Bakrie Group dominated and most liquid in Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). Bakrie Group with its seven emitters has capitalization value of Rp 58.56 trillion. The group has top volume and top frequency trading in last few months with average of 4056 transaction per month. / Investor daily, pg 1

XL to put tighter control to its starter packs’ churn rate

PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk tries and puts tighter control to its monthly issued starter packs, 25% of which are sold in the national market. The Director of Commerce PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk Joy Wahyudi said that on average 25% of the monthly issued starter packs of 4 million are sold in the market. “Upon the expiry date, we recycle the unsold starter packs to prevent oversupply for presently the churn rate is too unbelievable,” said he. / Bisnis Indonesia, pg I7

Android Phone Presents in Indonesia

Smartphone competition gets tighter with the presence of HTC Magic. Telkomsel cooperates with HTC Corporation on June 11 introduced capsul smart phone with Andrid from Google system. HTC Magic performs touch screen size of 3.2 inches, camera 3.2 megapixel, and global positioning system (GPS). The cellphone has supported 3G and wireless fidelity (Wifi). / Kontan, pg 24

USO Tender winner would be announced next month

The government will soon announce the winner for the tender on the project to build telephone network in the countryside, packages I and II, in July 2009. The winner for the two packages will be decided based on the technical administration and price offer criteria. The packages I and II are the remaining packages, out of the total of seven, of countryside telephone network building funded by the government this year. Five other packages have been awarded to Telkomsel. The remaining two are contested between Indonesia Comnets Plus (Icon+) and PT Indonusa System Integrator Prima. / Koran Jakarta, pg 15

Telkom internet

PT Telkom looks for new market segment, i.e. data business or new wave. Telkomsel contribution was 40% on PT Telkom income in 2008. While data business contribution stayed at 10% lower. But data business growth was unbelievably high by 73% in first quarter 2009. Thus, Telkom aim to push this new business. Meanwhile, Danareksa Sekuritas analyst, Chandra Pasaribu considered result of data business may only possible to look at after five years. ‘Telkom may depend on Telkomsel, the only GSM operator to grow in first quarter 2009,’ mentioned Chandra. He recommends to buy share at Rp 9,000 average. / Kontan, pg 1, Kontan, pg 5

BWA tender to open on July 14: the government is optimist that all zones will attract bidders

Department of Communication and Information (Depkominfo) is optimistic that the operators of high-speed wireless internet (BWA) will be attracted to all zones on the offer. The price of Rp52.35 billion of reserved price for each bloc in the 15 zones nationwide is quite affordable to all would be bidders. Expert Staff of the Minister of Communication and Information Suhono Harso Supangkat said in Jakarta yesterday. Vice President of Public Marketing Communication Telkom Eddy Kurnia said Telkom considers lucrative zones would be decided based on the needs and the existing coverage network. Meanwhile the Director of Corporate Service Bakrie Telecom (BTel) Rakhmat Djunaidi said that BTEL sets its eyes to one slot only./ Investor Daily, pg 24

PALAPA Ring is to be built in 2010: The Parliament says Depkominfo must bear the responsibility for the delay

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

The government hopes that the development of the Palapa Ring would commence in August 2009. However, the consortium for the laying of the fiber optic cable network in the Eastern Indonesia is incapable of fulfilling that hope considering the multitude of besieging problems. The expert consultant for the Minister of Communication and Information Moedjiono said that the available fund of US$150 million is enough for only 75% of the initial target of laying an 11,000 kilometers of network of fiber optic cable connecting Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua, and Nusa Tenggara. “Although the project would only be commencing next year, it will be serviceable by 2011,” he said. Meanwhile, the member of the Commission I of the Parliament Dedy Djamaluddin Malik, from the Partai Amanah Nasional, is of the opinion that the delay of the Palapa Ring project is attributable to the Department of Communication and Information (Depkominfo). And for that, Depkominfo must answer to the Parliament. / Investor Daily, pg 24

Indonesia’s true broadband is only 1%

Indonesia certainly has a hard time competing with other countries regarding the speed of its internet connection when the true broadband bandwidth is only accessible to 1% of the country’s population. “The penetration of broadband connection in Indonesia is less then 10%, while for the true broadband the figure is even smaller: 1%. It is way below other Asia Pacific countries that reach 40-50%,” said the Country Director Intel Indonesia Corporation Budi Wahyu Jati in the seminar held by TIK KADIN at the Hotel Ritz Charlton, Jakarta, Tuesday (6/22/2009)., Detik.com, 22/6 – 18:49,

Menkominfo: No Necessary Regulation for Internet Tariff

The Minister of Communication and Information M Nuh argued that internet tariff necessitated no regulation, as the internet was one of public services that was not the subject of regulation. M. Nuh also explained that since 2008, along with the increase of internet users, tariff had consequently closed down. He took the examples of tariff reduction conducted by Indosat and Telkom. / Suara Pembaruan, pg 28

Indosat Delay CDMA BlackBerry Release

Indosat delayed the launch of CDMA BlackBerry from the previously scheduled June to the third quarter of 2009. "There are many incomplete calculations of StarOne and Blackberry bundling price,” stated Adita Irawati, Indosat Head of Public Relation, Monday (22/6). Smart Telecom could not decide when to market CDMA Blackberry either. In addition, Smart also stated that the packet it offered was of lower price than GSM one. / Kontan, pg 14

Indosat Best Operator GSM 2009

PT Indosat Tbk (Indosat) bringing home five awards from Indonesia Cellular Award (ICA) 2009. This achievement made Indosat appointed as The Best Operator GSM 2009. “We are very proud and grateful for the simultaneously five awards that make Indosat to be The Best Operator GSM 2009," explained President Director Indosat ad interim, Johnny Swandi Sjam when received the award in Jakarta, last week. / Republika, pg 25

Axis Offers Axis-Blackberry

Axis BlackBerry will present with Blackberry Bold and Blackberry 8900 Javelin. The Chief Marketing Officer Axis Johan Buse said that the BlackBerry Bold and the BlackBerry Curve 8900 from AXIS will be launched in the next July. AXIS offers an authorized guarantee from RIM for 2 years that comes with one-year insurance. Pre-order has been started on June 10 at Axis booth in Indonesia Cellular Show 2009, by open site www.axisworld.co.id, or customer service call no.0838 8000 838. / Tabloid Sinyal, pg 15

Mobile-8 Rely on data services

PT Mobile-8 Telecom Tbk projected to net 150,000 Mobi users after aggressive to expand networks in outer Java Island. Beydra Yendi, Director Sales Marketing PT Mobile-8 Telecom Tbk, explained that public interest in unlimited data services is high enough. “We optimist that unlimited data access will faster public reached,” he said last week. / Bisnis Indonesia, pg I7; Kontan, pg 15

BTel maintain operator budget

PT Bakrie Telecom Tbk (BTel) will maintain the implementation of the existing business model. Under a business model concept of efficient operator budget, capital and operational expenditure has proven sturdy against crisis. ‘We would like to take the most advantage of available opportunity by adopting a business model of budget telecom, low cost operator, maintain and pressing the cost, increase income and innovative marketing strategy to achieve sustainable growth,’ mentioned PT Bakrie Telecom Tbk (BTel) President Director, Anindya N Bakrie. / Republika, pg 25

XL SMS Heroes Gain MURI Record

Has held since May 2009, XL SMS Heroes of PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk (XL) got the winners. About 18 students from some regions win to write and send SMS competition. President Director XL, Hasnul Suhaimi handed prizes to the winners in Jakarta, Sunday (21/6). In the same time, Chairman Indonesia Recore Museum (MURI) handed certificate to XL for its SMS Heroes program. XL SMS Heroes 2009 has netted more than 23 thousand participants. / Neraca, pg 5, Berita Kota, pg 12, Warta Kota, pg 18

Telkomsel, 3, and Axis - Update Status Facebook via SMS

Operator 3 is the first operator in ASEAN opening Facebook services with tariff Rp 5,000 per month. Axis offers Rp 1,500 per week or Rp 5,500 per month. While Telkomsel applies SMS normal tariff to send and free to receive SMS. / Tabloig Sinyal, pg 18

The new phase

Indonesia’s telecom industry is like a two sided coin. One side of which faces the basic telephony needs, the other side faces the demand of mobile broadband market. Telkomsel is up to the challenge from both sides. “After winning the tender for USO, Telkomsel will still continue its Telkomsel Merah Putih program,” said the Managing Director of Telkomsel Sarwoto Atmosukarto. At the same time, Telkomsel is also seriously developing what it calls “new business”, by which it means the development of mobile broadband, mobile money transfer, mobile wallet and mobile advertisement, and other innovative cellular based services. / Republika, pg 25

Icon+ Set Very Low Bidding Price for USO

Icon+ set bidding price 80% lower than biding price ceiling (HPS) for universal service obligation (USO) packet 1 for 2009 budget year. Santoso Serad, the Chairman of Rural Telecommunication and Information Agency (BTIP) stated that he asked Icon+ to increase the price in the packet despite the fact that the tender applied mechanism of direct election. The low bidding price proposed by Icon+ had been contradictory with Telkom and Telkomsel's argument that the ceiling bidding price of USO for both packets was too low. Only two companies remained in the tender of USO packet 1, namely Icon+ and Indonusa System Integrator Prima. / Bisnis Indonesia, pg I7

Profit Drop Due to Exchange Rate Difference

Telkom's directors and commissaries could not enjoy full bonus. Tantiem for state owned telecommunication bosses was reduced 27% from that of the previous year due to Telkom's decreasing performance last year. Not only Telkom that sufferred such a loss, Indosat's nettprofit also fell into 1,878 trillion in 2008 from the previous 2,042 trillion in 2007. The reason was the same, exchange rate difference. Worse, Excelcomindo Pratama sufferred loss of 15,109 billion last year. In addition, Bakrie Telecom's profit also dropped into 136,812 billion in 2008 from the previous 144,268 billion in 2007. / Tempo Mag, pg 116

Ocean Wire (subtitle of: Speedy Customers - Increase Thanks to Company's Synergy)

Monday, June 22, 2009

PT Telkom predicted that Asia-America Gateway (AAG) ocean wire would operate in the upcoming July or August. AAG had the capacity of 1,92 terabyte per second (tbps) with 19.000 kilometers long that connected Asia and America. The wire was constructed by 19 companies such as Telkom, Indosat and ATT Corp. / Suara Karya, pg 7

Rp 2 million BlackBerry soon to launch

PT Indosat currently prepared the launching of BlackBerry at average price of Rp 2 million per unit. Indosat Marketing Director, Guntur S Siboro mentioned the BlackBerry variant targeting low-end segment. At present Indosat lead the market sale of BlackBerry in Indonesia at estimated 120,000 units. While Telkomsel and XL together at 100,000 units. XL Communication General Manager, Myra Junor mentioned XL not having a plan yet to market BlackBerry under Rp 5 million. Nexian G900 or NexianBerry at price tag of Rp 1 million sold out 50,000 units only in 1.5 month. / Kontan, pg 14

MOBI aims for 150,000 subscribers

PT Mobile-8 Telecom Tbk, the operator of Fren and Hepi, presents an unlimited internet access by the Mobi Unlimited Data Access. The package offers various speed options tailored to the subscribers’ individual needs, from 153 Kbps to 3.1 Mbps. The Director of Sales Marketing Mobile-8 Beydra Yendi said that the Mobi Unlimited Data Access is offered by way of Mobi Unlimited starter packs and Mobi Unlimited Modem Bundling. “We hope that through the unlimited package we could increase our subscribers to 150 thousand,” said he. / Investor daily, pg 24, Bisnis Indonesia, pg I8

XL to reduce churn rate

PT Excelcomindo Pratama (XL) stated customer churn rate right now at 10%, lower than telecommunication industry that reach 30%. "Our churn rate recorded high in early 2008, but now could pressed up to 10%,” said GM Corporate Communication XL, Myra Junor, amidst launching XL reloaded bonus in Jakarta, last week. / Media Indonesia, pg 20

XL push customer number

PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk (XL) keeps pushing the customer number by having reload bonus. At present XL customer to reach 24.9 million, which of the 98% prepaid customer. ‘We expect with four times reload bonus, XL customer will increase and loyal, hence decreasing the churn rate,’ mentioned XL Commerce Director, Joy Wahyudi in Jakarta not long time ago. / Seputar Indonesia, pg 15

Telkomsel reaches the parking attendants

Telkomsel expands its distribution channels to the lowest possible level, the individual resellers, and now individuals such as parking attendants may resell recharge cards, SIM cards and, possibly, other Telkomsel products. The Telkomsel program for parking attendants was launched with the implementation of the Five Times Parking Gets You a Free Parking promo by the Provincial Government of Jakarta . Since its trial in February, the incentive program has been welcomed by the general public. The launching of the Five Times Parking Gets You a Free Parking promo across Jakarta was attended by the Vice Governor of Jakarta H. Prijanto, the Managing Director of Telkomsel Sarwoto Atmosutamo and the VP Telkomsel for Jabotabek-West Java Irwin Sakti. / Warta Kota, pg 17

Telkom Sumatera to enhance network quality

Look over the growing number of Flexi customer in Sumatera region, Telkom keep expanding and improving the network quality for customer comfortability. General Manager (GM) Network Services Telkom Flexi Sumatera, Erikson Sianipar mentioned the enhancement of Flexi coverage proven by the development of 900 units base transciever station (BTS), up to end of May 2009. ‘We are targeting up to end of June 2009, number of BTS developed in Sumatra to reach 1,000 BTS, under the capacity of 3.8 million canal or Flexi unit line (SSF),’ told him. / Suara Karya, pg 7

Tender Price Ceiling for Packet 1 7 2 USO Not Economical - Government Expected to Apply Bundling Packet

Experts and telecommunication businessmen said that the withdrawal of Telkom and Telkomsel from the participation of packet 1 & 2 universal service obligation (USO) tender was partly due to the government's fault. Mastel Chairman Setyanto P Santoso stated that the withdrawal of Telkom and Telkomsel from the tender participation was normal since the project was less profitable, and it would affect Telkom's performance at large. Gunawan Wibisono, a Telecommunication observers from University of Indonesia stated that bundling program was necessary to avoid companies such as Telkom and Telkomsel to only pick USO packet that was profitable for them. Gunawan explained that tender for less prospective area such as Papua should be bundled with that of commercial area such as Jabodetabek. With the existing pattern of tender, there should be increase in tender price ceiling for areas such as Papua. / Bisnis Indonesia, pg I7

New BTS across the SURAMADU Bridge

The SURAMADU Bridge has been operational for nearly two weeks. The enthusiasm of the public in using the new bridge spanning the Madura Strait has not lessened. On Sunday (6/21) the queue of two- and four-wheeled reached 4 kilometers. The gathering of people in the northern side of Surabaya and Bangkalan has precipitated a problem in the Flexi telecommunication traffic in the area. The Manager for Optimalization Coverage Area Division Telkom Flexi East Area Agus Hendratno admitted that such gathering has increased the Flexi traffic dramatically. To anticipate the increase, Telkom has built 9 base transceiver stations/BTS across the bridge. / Suara Karya, pg 7

Telkomsel Presents Affordable Data in Abroad (15/6)

Monday, June 15, 2009

Cellular operator Telekomunikasi Selular (Telkomsel) launched an affordable data service Data Bridge DataRoam on Friday (12/6) in Jakarta. The launch was attended by Telkomsel Jabodetabek Area Vice President Irwin Sakti (left), Telkomsel Manager Strategic Marketing Project Peter Silalahi (center), Telkomsel Corporate Communication GM Azis Fuedi (right) and Telkmsel Corporate Communication Manager Suryo Hadiyanto. Data Bridge DataRoam provided economic weekly tariff, 150 thousand rupiah per week for 5 MB access or 80% cheaper than normal tariff. The service was provided by the cooperation of Telkomsel with other Bridge Alliance Asia Pasific alliance. / Investor daily, pg 24

Telkom’s Annual Shareholders Assembly

The directors and commissioners of PT Telkom (left to right) the Chief Commissioner Tanri Abeng, the Director of CRM Prasetyo, the Consumer Director I Nyoman G Wiryanata, the Managing Director Rinaldi Firmansyah and the Financial Director Sudiro Asno, after the Annual Shareholders Assembly (RUPST) Telkom in Jakarta, last weekend. Besides deciding that this year’s dividend is 55% or Rp5.84 trillion out of the 2008 net profit, the Assembly formally agreed to the decree of the State Minister of State Owned Companies (BUMN) on the General Direction in the Procurement of Goods and Services for BUMN. / Suara Karya, pg 16

In 2009, 49.000 villages Connected to the Internet

By the end of 2009, 49.000 villages in Indonesia would have been connected to telecommunication and internet network. The government had thus prepared 2 trillion fund, as stated by Minister of Communication and Information (menkominfo) Muhammad Nuh when attending the handing of telecommunication device aid from Solidarity of Indonesia United Cabinet Wives to Brawijaya University, Malang, Friday (12/6) / Investor daily, pg 24

Net users to benefit from new international connection

Internet users in Indonesia wall enjoy faster connections when a high-bandwidth fiber optic submarine cable linking Southeast Asia and the US comes online next month.

The system, which has been dubbed the Asia-America Gateway, is scheduled to come into full effect in July, after it launch was delayed for six months, said Erniadi Dahlan, a director of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom), the country’s largest telecommunications company. Along with PT Indosat, the nation’s second largest phone operator, Telkom is a member of a consortium of 17 American and Southeast Asian telecommunications companies involved in the operation of the 20,000 kilometer long, US$500 million cable system. / The Jakarta Post, pg 14

XL Enable Indonesia Workers to Deliver Money

Sunday, June 14, 2009

XL allies with PT Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) provide instant remittance for Indonesian workers in Malaysia. For this program, Xl and Bank BNI cooperate with Malaysia operator, Celcom. Indonesian workers could transfer money instantly and safely through cellular phone. / Suara Pembaruang, pg 19

Telkomsel Launch SimPATI Kangen in Malaysia

Telkomsel, hand in hand with Maxis Malaysia launched SimPATI Kangen Hotlink in Kuala Lumpur, 4 June 2009. The launch was one of other SimPATI Kangen launches in several countries as affordable solution for Indonesian migrant workers who worked abroad. Now, with already reached 120.000 customers, SimPATI KAngen could be accessed by Indonesian society in five countries, namely Singapore, Hongkong, Macau, Taiwan and Malaysia. / Kompas, pg 20

Flexi Under World in ICS 2009

PT Telkom holds theme of “Flexi Under World” in Indonesia Cellular Show (ICS).Vice President Public and Marketing Communication Telkom Eddy Kurnia stated Telkom booth performs various information, services and innovation product based on Consumer Solutions that expressed by Flexi Trendy and Flexi Classy./ Suara Pembaruang, pg 19

AXIS Broke MURI Record

Saturday, June 13, 2009

PT Natrindo Selular, is awarded Indonesia Record Museum (MURI) as first GSM operator with most free SMS Tausiyah. Axis provides Axis Salam with Moslem messages directly written by prominent Moslem leaders like Dr.M.Syafii Antonio, M.Arifin Ilham, Ustad Wahfiuddin, Haddad Alwi, Uztadzah Irena Handono and Habib Ali Jafar Assegaf / Neraca, pg 7

More Operators to Work on BlackBerry Market

BlackBerry booming seemed not yet to end soon. The number of operators that were interested to market the handset made by Research in Motion (RIM), thus, increased. Following Indosat, XL and Telkomsel, which had previously marketed the handset, Axis also joined the club.
As newcomer, Axis was aware that it was important to provide different service from that of the other three. Axis then launched worry free service. "We provide service that provides safety or anxiety-free feeling to customers," stated Johan Buse, Axis Chief Marketing Officer. / Kontan, pg 14

Bakrie ain seven ICCA Award

Seven awards received by PT Bakrie Telecom, Tbk in The Best Contact Center Indonesia 2009 held by ICCA (Indonesia Contact Center Association) with iCallCenter Magazine. The seven awards are platinum for the best business contribution and the best quality assurance, 2 gold for the best contact center operations below 100 seats and the best back office support, 1 silver the best large contact center manager above 100 seats, and 2 bronze for the best inbound and outbound agents. / Neraca, pg 7

HTC MAGIC - Indonesia First Android Phone

HTC and Telkomsel launched first Android cellular in Indonesia called HTC Magic. Smart phone in the form of tablet with slim design and forwarding Android platform make HTC Magic capable of giving superior internet for the user. HTC Magic is 3G HSDPA cellular or 3.5G with uplink speed of 2Mbps and downlink speed 7.2 Mbps. It is also functioning by WiFi 802.11 b/g connection, Bluetooth 2.0, and providing micro SD memory slot. / Investor Daily, pg 16

Telkom Dividend 5,84 trillion rupiah

Telekomunikasi Indonesia's Share Holder Annual Meeting, held on Friday (12/6), decided that 5,84 trillion rupiah or 55% of the company's net profit would serve as cash dividend. The decision had implied that investors would receive 296,94 rupiah per stock. In the meantime, Indosat's Limited Share Holder Meeting (RUPSLB), held on Thursday (10/6), decided that 900 billion rupiah, or 50% of the company's nett profit in 2008 would serve as dividend. It means, the dividend for each Indosat's stock valued 172.85 rupiah. In addition, Indosat's RUPSLB also appointed Harry Sasongko Tirtotjondro as Indosat President Director started on 11 August 2009. Johnny Swandi Sjam would remain serve as Director during transition period. / Kompas, pg 19, Kontan, pg 4, Seputar Indonesia, pg 10, Republika, pg 7,

Telkom to sign loan deal worth US$200m

PT Telkom will next week ink a loan agreement worth Rp 2 trillion (about USS2OO million) to support part of its planned capital expenditure program. The state company would secure the financing from a group of state banks and from the Government Investment Center (PIP), a government-sanctioned agency specializing in providing capital to state enterprises. As of the first quarter, the number of subscribers to its cellular unit alone went up by 40 percent to 72 million people, while for the fixed-wireless segment, the number soared by 99 percent to 13.4 million. By comparison, the cellular subscribers of PT Indosat, the country’s second largest telcom firm, stood at 33.3 million during the same period ./ The Jakarta Post, pg 13, Kontan, pg 4, Investor Daily, pg 1,

Separate WiMax and the satellite communication: Indonesia still needs 20 transponders

Friday, June 12, 2009

The VP Membership External Relations Asia Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC) Gregg Daffner said that several countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia have shifted their WiMax access from the frequency of 3.5 GHz and allocated the spectrum for satellite communication. (Bisnis Indonesia, pg I7)

WiMax Regulation Not Yet Favorable to Local Enterprise

Teddy A Purwadi, the owner of Transmedia Indonesia (Access.net) - the member of WiMax consortium - stated that until this timethere had been no regulations in telecommunication sector that were favorable to small to middle scale business segment. (Bisnis Indonesia, pg I1)

BlackBerry Traded in Black Market, Canada Get Upset

The fact that BlackBerry was circulated highly in black market did not only upset the gadget's producer, Research in Motion, but also The Canadian Government - the country base of RIM. (Detik.com)

INDOSAT - Reshuffle raises question over state interests

The governments diminishing control over what was once Indonesia’s strategic asset, was reaffirmed Thursday after a reshuffle of the PT Indosat board of directors. A special shareholder meeting Thursday approved a proposal from the largest stakeholder in the company, Qatar Telecom (QTel), to replace top executives one year earlier than stipulated in the initial contract. (The Jakarta Post, pg 2, Seputar Indonesia, pg 19, Koran Jakarta, pg 11, Republika, pg 13, Bisnis Indonesia, pg F1, , Koran Tempo, pg A15, Detik.com, Okezone.com, Bisnis.com, Investor daily, pg 9, Rakyat Merdeka, pg 13, Suara Karya, pg 10, Indo Post, pg 17, Investor daily, pg 9)

Ideally only 3 GSM and 2 CDMA Operators

Telecommunication operator in Indonesia should be consolidated into four or five companies. There might be four GSM and one CDMA, or three GSM and two CDMA. (Investor Daily, pg 24)

Cellular and FWA Mobile-8 in one card

Mobile-8 Telecom merges cellular service and fixed wireless access (FWA) in card named Fren Duo. The effort pursues additional 1.5 million new customers in 13 cities. Mobile-8 Marketing & Sales Director, Beydra Yendi mentioned, target set for 5% CDMA acces user and 1% GSM customer. (Bisnis Indonesia, pg I7, Seputar Indonesia, pg 15)

Market Rumors: BTEL to buy FREN?

On investor said, BTEL has signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with PT Global Mediacom Tbk (BMTR), yesterday (11/6). Anyhow, Bakrie Telecom Corporate secretary Rachmat Junaidi denies the issue and President Director Mobile-8 Telecom Merza Fachys admitted not knowing that MoU. (Kontan, pg 4)

Stagnant, XL pushed 50 thousand post-paid

PT Excelcomindo Pratama (XL) once lost 5% of post-paid customers migrating to pre-paid. However, the cellular operator also succeeding on acquiring new pre-paid customer in much higher number. (Bisnis Indonesia, pg I8, Detik.com, Kontan, pg 15)

Telecommunication Growth Less than 10% - Operator Ask Regulatory Cost Reduction

Thursday, June 11, 2009

The Association of Indonesian Cellular Telecommunication (ATSI) predicted that the growth of Indonesian telecommunication industry this year was less than 10%, far lower than that of last year and of 2007, which was 20%. (Bisnis Indonesia, pg I8)

To Test Seikh Independency - STT Viewed to fail raise up company’s performances

University of Indonesia Alumni Organization (Iluni) viewed if Seikh from dessert country not dare to make a change in Indosat management or commissioner it proofs that the company still has affiliate with Singapore STTS. Iluni-UI judged STT (Temasek subsidiary) officers could not raise up company’s performances.(Koran Jakarta, pg 16)

Digital TV will be showed on Cellular Phone

Indosat’s customers right now can enjoy TV program through their cellular phone. Indosat cooperates with Tren Mobile TV Consortium introduced new services namely DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld). (Suara Pembaruan, pg 28, Kontan, pg 15)

Indosat Launch 50 Thousand of Solar Cellular Phone

Indosat would market 50 thousand units of solar cellular phone, which was produced by the company's cooperation with Comtiva Technology, the US cellular phone producer. (Detik.com)

IM-2 Use Mobile-8 Data Network

Indosat Mega Media (IM2) projected to gain 80.000 new internet subscribers by using the network of Mobile-8 Telecom. Hermanuddin, IM2 General Manager Business Planning & Development, stated that the company expanded the cooperation scope with Mobile-8 Telecom to provide internet and data service. (Bisnis Indonesia, pg I7)

Inspected ICS

President Director Indosat Johnny Swandi Sjam and Director Marketing Indosat Guntur S. Siboro with Director General Post and Telecommunication Basuki Yusuf Iskandar along with ATSI Chairman Marza Fachys visited booth Indosat after opened Indonesia Celuler Show (ICS) in Jakarta (Indo Pos, pg 19)

Chatting Via Cell Phone, Indosat Hand in Hand With Mig33

Indosat, cooperated with mig33, provided IM3 customers with mig33v chatting application. Customers could download mig33 via SMS by typing MIGI and sent it to 676 through GAUL menu in i-Go application or in its site. (Investor Daily, pg 24, Suara Karya, pg 7, Suara Karya, pg 7)

Indosat July, Smart September - CDMA BLackBerry Setting More Complicated

Indosat delayed the launch of BlackBerry StarOne. The smart phone produced by the Canadian Research in Motion was planned to be launched in May, now delayed in July. (Detik.com)

Hutchison CP Telecom Cancelled Its Expansion out of Jakarta

“Our 2G network has operated in 200 districts in 21 provinces in Indonesia. While our 3G just still in Jakarta area. We will expand 3G network if market demand needed,” said Chief Commercial Officer Hutchison 3 Suresh Reddy, in Jakarta, recently. (Rakyat Merdeka, pg 14)

Unlimited Access to Manchester United

After announced exclusive alliances for thre and half competition seasons with football club Manchester United, Hutchison CP Telecom provides unlimited access to Three’s customers to get closer to Manchester United. (Sinar Harapan, pg 15)

Finally, ‘good’ BlackBerry ' is coming

Natrindo Telepon Seluler, Axis operator, successfully carry out the cooperation with Research in Motion (RIM) to launch BlackBerry in Indonesia. (Investor Daily, pg 24, Detik.com)

FREN has to prepare Rp 1 trillion in cash - Restructuring will go on if FREN certainly has fund

PT Mobile-8 Telecom Tbk (FREN) has big home work to escape from bankruptcy. The operator has to prepare Rp 1 trillion so as still can operates in next three years. (Kontan, pg 4)

XL presents a Holiday service

To anticipate the school holiday season, PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk (EP) presents XL Liburan Rame. The program offers a complete telecom service for both prepaid and post-paid subscribers. (Investor daily, pg 24)

Mobile lifestyle

Director General Post and telecommunication Basuki Yusuf Iskandar accompanied by Director PT Telkom Nyoman G. Wiryanata and VP Customer Lifecycle Management Telkomsel Arman Hazairin tried mobile broadband Telkomsel Flash in the opening Indonesia Cellular Show 2009 in Jakarta, yesterday (10/6). (Bisnis Indonesia, pg I1, Republika, pg 13, Rakyat Merdeka, pg 14, Investor Daily, pg 24, Neraca, pg 10, Seputar Indonesia, pg 13)

Telkom supports the Digital City

PT Telkom Tbk supports the plan of the local government of Purwakarta to make the town a digital city by 2010. The local government is building the Kuring Alim Gaptek (KAG) as the internet learning media for the local government officials and the general public. (Bisnis Indonesia, pg I7)

BlackBerry Sold Out Even After Sales Service Not Provided

It might be happened in Indonesia only. One electronic product without any after sales service but sold out just like fries peanuts. Even Research In Motion (RIM) not opening representative office in Indonesia, people keeps purchase BlackBerry. (Warta Kota, pg 15)

IPSTAR presents a broadband service in Indonesia

THAICOM, the operator of the IPSTAR broadband satellite system, launched its 15th gateway in Jakarta. The IPSTAR broadband satellite is claimed to have a capacity up to 3.4 Gbps. It is estimated that the capacity is equal to the need of 350,000 broadband subscribers in Indonesia. (Okezone.com, Detik.com)

Smart plays its ace in data access market through EvDO netbooks

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Smart registers 1.9 million subscribers in the first quarter of 2009. “To date, our subscribers nearly hit two million,” said the Chief Sales Officer Smart Charles Sitorus in the FX Plaza Jakarta.. (Okezone.com, Kontan, pg 15, Kompas, pg 39, Kompas, pg 35)

Unlimited access to MU

After announced exclusive alliances for thre and half competition seasons with football club Manchester United, Hutchison CP Telecom provides unlimited access to Three’s customers to get closer to Manchester United. (Rakyat Merdeka, pg 18, Jurnal Nasional, pg 22)

Awaiting Foreign Investor

Tighten competition in telecommunication industry made Mobile-8 Telecom loss up to Rp 2 trillion. Looking at bad internal financial suffering by Mobile-8, the incoming of new investor is as a must. “Acquisition might be happen with Mobile-8,” said Akhmad Nurcahyadi, analyst BNI Securities. (Koran Jakarta, pg 9)

Bakrie Telecom Gain ISO 9001:200 Certificate

Bakrie Telecom had proven that the quality management system the company applied had met international standard. In regard to this achievement, the company received Certificate of ISO 9001:200 for National Scope. The certificate was claimed to be the first ISO 9001:2000 in telecommunication industry. (Okezone.com, Kompas, pg 10, Investor Daily, pg 24, Jurnal Nasional, pg 6)

XL supplied BlackBerry application

PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk placed 100 local application serving BlackBerry customer through content aggregator portal, XL-Mall. Djunaedi Hermawanto, XL VP Direct Sales, mentioned XL Mall provide information access, content, application, program and tips on BlackBerry
(Bisnis Indonesia, pg I8, Republika, pg 25, Republika, pg 24)

XL Negotiate 1 – 1.5 trillion BNI Loan

Excelcomindo Pratama (EXCL) is negotiating with Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) on the latter's loan as much as 1 -1.5 trillion rupiah to the former. The fund would be used for Excelcomindo's capital expenditure and refinancing process this year. (Investor Daily, pg 9)

Telkomsel Not reducing price of iPhone 3G

Unlike other countries, Telkomsel as Apple partner operator in Indonesia confirmed not to drop the price of 3G iPhone. Telkomsel previously only drop the cellular price for Rp 1 million out of original price since the first induction in the market, around Rp 9 million on the 8GB and Rp 12 million on the 16GB. (Detik.com)

Telesindo Shop received "The Best Performance Flexi 2009

On June 5 2009, placed at Ballroom Sunan Hotel, Solo, Telesindo Shop received "The Best Performance Authorized Dealer Flexi" on program Joint Selling Semester-1 2009 and Best F-Kios Period of May 28 – June 3, 2009. (Kompas, pg 18)

Protelindo to buy US$ 500 million Hutchison tower

Djarum Group through the subsidiary PT Profesional Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Protelindo), buys 3,629 towers belong to PT CP Hutchison Telecom Indonesia at recently. Total transaction was estimated to reach HK$ 3.9 billion equals to Rp 5.5 trillion. (Investor Daily, pg 1)

New episode of Mobile-8

PT Mobile-8 Telecom Tbk case entering new episode after bond holders agreed to restructure rupiah bond. However, Mobile-8 Telecom faces three big problems, to settle guaranteed senior note worth Rp 1 trillion, looking for new investor, and improve operational performances. (Koran Jakarta pg 9)

If Cellular Reflected Lifestyle

Blackberry recorded new phenomenon in Indonesia since last 2008. In last four months BlackBerry Internet Services (BIS) growth folds. Last week, XL released BlackBerry Storm and optimists to sell 1,000 units in one month. (Republika pg 24)

Telkom launched the FlexiBrowser

PT Telkom Tbk launched a browser in its Flexi thematic campaign in the Indonesia Cellular Show (ICS) Jakarta 10-14 Juni 2009. The Vice President Public and Marketing Communication Telkom Eddy Kurnia said that the Dunia Dasar Flexi campaign will showcase services such as the FlexiTone, FlexiMilis, FlexiCommunity, and FlexiBrowser. (Investor Daily pg 24)

Qatar Telecom to Restructure Indosat Board of Directors

Qatar Telecom Q.S.C. (Qtel) would restructure Indosat's Board of Directors, as the ownership of Indosat's majority shares had shifted to the Qatar based company from the previous Singapore Technologies Telemedia Pte Ud (STT). (Bisnis Indonesia, pg 1)

Indosat to present cellular digital news

Indosat cooperate with Tren Mobile TV Consortium introduced new service of Digital Video Broadcasting – Handheld (DVB-H), digital TV broadcasting service possible to enjoy directly in your cellular. (Detik.com, Okezone.com)

BlackBerry GSM vs BlackBerry CDMA

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Several GSM and CDMA based operators are currently in the process of applying for BlackBerry service in Indonesia. In the future, Indonesia will be covered by both GSM and CDMA BlackBerry. The challenge would be harder, however, for CDMA based operators because the number of handsets supporting BlackBerry is limited. It will be more profitable if the BlackBerry CDMA operators provide the dual network, supported by BlackBerry Roaming between the CDMA and GSM operators, in both the domestic and international network./ Seluler, pg 108

Expro Accept BlackBerry Insurance

Extra Proteksi Indonesia (Expro), the company that provided insurance for cellular phone, was ready to provide damage protection to BlackBerry users. The protection only applied for BlackBerry products bought in authorized operators, such as Telkomsel, Indosat, and XL; while those bought in black market was not the subject of the protection. Expro Managing Director Amir Hamzah, in Jakarta, Saturday (6/5) stated that the insurance would be given for damages due to water soaked or fallen, as well as for loss due to robbery. Expro provided two kinds of compensation rate, 3% of purchasing price for Expro First packet and 75 - 200 thousand rupiah for Expro Next packet. / Investor Daily, pg 24

Assessing telecommunication share, Q-Tel Indosat crossing not influencing prospect

The increase of two prominent telecommunication emiten at 25% and 15% average on March and April considered way of too much expectation. The price increase in accordance with PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (TLKM) and PT Indosat Tbk (ISAT) performance release per semester 1/2009 is not proven. On May, the price of the two share similarly drop for 5.36% and 5.1% right among the increase of composite index of 11.26%.Citigroup Global Markets Ltd analyst Anand Ramachandran considered the two increase caused by investor speculation of their double digit growth booked this year / Bisnis Indonesia, pg F3

Competition between Operators Make Internet Tariff Drop

Tight competition between operators make internet tariff reduce to 70%. “Even not asked by government, operators have reduced their internet tariff as competition among operators tighten,” explained Head Information and public communication Depkominfo, Gatot S Dewa Broto in Jakarta, Monday (8/6). PT Exelcomindo Pratama (XL), for instance, offers Rp0,01/KB and PT Indosat Mega Media (IM2) provides competitive tariff completed by sufficient network quality / Berita Kota, pg 12

Legal or not keep sold out

Just recently Customs busy caught in the act illegal BlackBerry smuggling from abroad. The lots of smuggling effort are due to the high selling of BlackBerry lately.
Mentioned by Teguh Prasetya, Indosat Brand Marketing Group Head, the growth of BlackBerry customer number in Indonesia is highest in the world. It is almost 600%. The request from customer make BlackBerry provider operator busy. The problem is RIM (Research in Motion) – BlackBerry principal, not prepared to anticipate / Seluler, pg20

Going abroad only by phone

Indosat FlatCall 01016, one facility to ease calling abroad. The advantage of using FlatCall 01016, is super duper low price. From quality side, the voice even very clear and not to worry of repeatedly disconnected as supported by VoIP technology. All these trouble-free service is dedicated Indosat customer wish to communicate oversea, through Matrix, Mentari, IM3 and StarOne. / Tempo Magazine, pg 50

Indosat mobile home page brand new face

New look in the face of Indosat mobile home page. More attractive and rich content. The change in the look has begun since May 26, 2009, Indosat also change the address from http://wap.indosat.com into http://m.indosat.com. ”We realize Indosat mobile home page as one important media for customer to access various Indosat content service,” mentioned Suharso W Sulistyo, Indosat Value Added Service Marketing Group Head. / Okezone.com, 6/8 - 16:24, Bisnis Indonesia, pg I7, Suara Karya, pg 12, Investor Daily, pg 24, Neraca, pg 5, Indo Pos, pg 13

Hutchison to build 9,000 BTS

PT Hutchison CP Telecom, the operator of Three, looks forward to add more base transceiver stations (BTS) to a total of 9,000 by the end of the year, following an expansion into Kalimantan and Sulawesi in the second semester of 2009. / Bisnis Indonesia, pg I8

BlackBerry 3 available this year?

It is rumored that Hutchinson CP Telecom would present its BlackBerry service in Indonesia in 2009. “Let’s wait and see. I’m not at liberty to say when,” said the General Manager VAS Hutchinson CP Telecom Patricia Tedjasendjaja to reporters in the Menara Jamsostek, Jakarta , Monday (6/8/2009). / okezone.com 6/8 1505, Kontan, pg 14

Hutchinson 3 With MU for 3.5 Seasons

Hutchinson CP Telecom signed exclusive cooperation with Manchester United (MU) for 3,5 seasons (year) to provide cellular phone content for 3 (Tri) customers. 3 customers now could ask Wayney Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and other Manchester United stars to greet ones calling them through ring back tone. The original greeting of football players coached by Sir Alex Ferguson now became one of Hutchison CP Telecom Indonesia's valuable content., / Detik.com, 8/6 - 16:31, Investor Daily, pg 24, Warta Kota, pg 18, Indo Pos, pg 17, Koran Jakarta, pg 16, Suara Karya, pg 14

Customers of 3 Increase 800 Thousand in Q1 2009

Hutchinson CP Telecom, 3 operators, stated to gain 5.3 million customers until March 2009. The number increased 800 thousands compared to that in the end of 2008."At the end of 2008, our customers numbered 4,. Million," stated Hutchinson CP VAS General Manager Patricia Tedjasenjaja to journalists in Jamsostek Tower, Jakarta, Monday (8/6/2009). / Okezone.com, 6/8- 16:02

XL BlackBerry even easier

PT Exelcomindo Pratama Tbk (XL) officially distributing BlackBerry gadget applicable to all cellular operator. This benefit BlackBerry user wish to migrate to other cellular. Or, when they like to sell theirs, the buyer may wish to migrate to other operator as well. As so far, there is operator who ‘lock’ the BlackBerry they distributed so that functioning for them only. ‘Beside full unlock, XL BlackBerry activation is very easy. Able to daily activation, only by sending SMS. Send the SMS today, activated today,’ mentioned XL Direct Sales Vice President Djunaedi Hermawanto, met in Graha BIR on Jalan Gatot Subroto, Jakarta, Saturday (6/6). / Warta Kota, pg 18

Excelcomindo Pay Debt Faster

Excelcomindo Pratama (EP) paid its US$50 million debt to Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) faster than its due date of July 2009, using internal cash flow and loan from Export-kreditnamnden (EKN). ”We had paid our debt to ABN AMRO (now under the management of RBS) by using our internal cash and loan from EKN," stated Excelcomindo President Director Hasnul Suhaimi yesterday.By the payment, the company had projected that the total of debt interest this year numbered around 1,5 trillion rupiah, despite of no new loan except for refinancing. / Bisnis Indonesia, pg F3

XL release money transfer service from Malaysia

Improving service to Indonesia migrant worker overseas, XL cooperates with Celcom, Malaysia telecommunication operator. The work of two presents Instant Transfer for migrant workers in Malaysia. The cooperation also brings Bank Negara Indonesia in. / Okezone.com, 6/8 -17:04, Bisnis Indonesia, pg I7; Neraca, pg 5

BlackBerry Business in Regional Level Promising

Piramid Telekom, BlackBerry official distributor in Indonesia stated that the smart phone had become the needs of all circles, which caused the increase of sale rate. "People pick BlackBerry rather than 2 million worth cellular phone,” stated Isra Ruddin, Piramid Telekom Division Head Integrated Marketing Communication in Denpasar last week. Telkomsel Bali Area SPV Sales Outlet Operating, Nusra Achdiat Suryana, admitted that the number of BlackBerry users that also subscribed to Telkomsel also increased. In Bali, during January to May 2009, the number in question increased 400%, from 700 to 3.000. / Suara Pembaruan, pg 28

Telkomsel Promotes BlackBerry Storm

Telkomsel presents BlacBerry Storm with price Rp6,990,000. Customer will get free BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) for one month by activate BlackBerry in May 15 – November 30 2009. Telkomsel will add its 3G network from 4,000 Node B (BTS 3G) to 7,500 Node B. / Seluler, pg 142

CDMA Public Phone

PT Telkom Tbk launched CDMA public phone wireless card namely SOBAT. As well as Flexy, CDMA public phone is using SOBAT as starter pack. The launching conducted by symbolically handed terminal and Sobat card from PT Telkom, represented by General Manager (GM) Central Jakarta , Niam Dzlkri to Education Institution Cikini, on Friday (5/6). / Warta Kota, pg 18

BRTI to announce on the performance of operators in July

Next month, the Indonesian Telecommunication Regulatory Body (BRTI) will announce its evaluation to the quality of services of the telecom operators for the period of 2008-2009. The operators are currently racing to improve their networks to satisfy their customers. To avoid the degradation of the quality of service, the Vice President Public and Marketing Communication Telkom Eddy Kurnia said that Telkom Group retains its capital expenditures in 2009, amounted to US$2.1 billion or Rp22 trillion. Meanwhile, the General Manager Network Quality PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk (EP) Yudianto said that XL will stay responsive to the complaints of its customers. / Investor daily, pg 24

Tanri Abeng & Cs. will step down after the presidential election

The composition of Telkom’s Board of Directors will not change until after the 2009 presidential election is concluded. The main consideration is that the Director should be able to concentrate in delivering the target of more than 50% dividend. “This year’s Shareholders Assembly will not change the Directors until the conclusion of the presidential election. The commissioners, including Tanri Abeng, will stay in position until the next January,” thus said the Head Communication Telkom Eddy Kurnia after the Technical Meeting with Commission VI of the State Parliament, in the DPR Building, yesterday. / Rakyat Merdeka, pg 13, Koran Tempo, pg A20, Koran Jakarta, pg 11

Fiber-Optical Telecommunication System Completed by 2009

Monday, June 08, 2009

Indonesia Comnets Plus (ICON +), PLN subsidiary company, was optimistic that the establishment of Sumatra - Java- Bali - Lombok optical-fiber telecommunication system would be completed by October 2009 with total investment of more than 375 billion rupiah. ICON + Director Mulyo Adji stated that besides serving PLN operational needs and IT based business process application, the communication system was also prepared to serve industry, banking and other customers./ Bisnis Indonesia, pg I1

Hewlett-Packard to penetrate CDMA operators

The Hewlett Packard (HP), through its Communications Media Solutions (CMS) division, reaches for the CDMA cellular operators in Indonesia, in order to gain 30% of the Asian market share. The Vice President Marketing CMS Hewlett-Packard Steve Dietch said that the largest HP market in Indonesia, such as Telkomsel and Indosat, uses the GSM (global system for mobile communications) technology. However, he declared, HP’s technology is applicable to all kinds of operators. / Bisnis Indonesia, pg I8

WiMax Tender Price 52,35 Billion Rupiah, DNI Only Applied for Limited Company

The total reserved price for 15 zones of broadband wireless access (BWA) or WiMax tender reached 52.35 billion rupiah. The number was only one third of additional 3G frequency tender. Tender participants could have the information on the reserved price, of which announcement was delayed for many weeks, started on Friday last week. Around 10 of 73 participants had taken the information document until last weekend. The Chairman of WiMax tender Committee Tulus Rahardjo stated that Economic Ministry had decided that List of Negative Investment (DIN) rule did not apply to companies registered in Indonesian stock market. The decision was believed to pave easy way for Indosat. / Bisnis Indonesia, pg I7, Koran Jakarta, pg 15

A Certificate to Be Suspended, Operators Demand BlackBerry Open Customer Service

Directory General of Post and Telecommunication would suspend A certificate for BlackBerry importers and Research In Motion (RIM) if both parties did not establish customer service for the product in Indonesia soon, as stated by Azhar Hasyim, Director of Standardization Bureau, General Directory of Post and Telecommunication, Department of Communication and Information. Azhar did not mention in detail the number of companies importing BlackBerry out of three operators (Telkomsel, Indosat and Excelcomindo Pratama). Indosat Marketing Director Guntur S. Siboro stated that RIM's partner operators did not consider the fact that other companies also imported BlackBerry disturbing. "The problem is many handsets with PIN cloning now are vastly distributed. RIM will block the PIN in once it is identified. Unfortunately, consumers bought (the handsets) with normal price," he said. / Bisnis Indonesia, pg I8, Indo Pos, pg 24

PLN-Operator Tariff Negotiation Dead lock

Eight telecommunication operators insisted to pay electricity tariff according to the bill of the previously agreed effective 120 hours. The operators could not accept State Electricity Company (PLN) Batam area that expanded the effective hours into 360. This was one of the results of negotiation between PLN Batam and eight operators regarding electricity tariff increase yesterday. The eight operators in question were Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom). Telekomunikasi Seluler (Telkomsel), Indosat, Excelcomindo Pratama, Bakrie Telecom (Esia). MObile-8 (Fren), Natrindo Telepon Seluler (Axis) and Hutchinson Charoen Pokphand Telecom (3). / Bisnis Indonesia, pg M8

XL BlackBerry subscribers to top 100 thousands soon

The number of BlackBerry subscribers for Telkomsel and Indosat has each topped 100,000. Meanwhile, PT Excelcomindo Pratama (XL) is confident that it will follow suit anytime soon. Such is the confident of the General Affair Postpaid BlackBerry PT EP Budi Harjono when introducing XL-Mall in Jakarta, Saturday (6/6).
Indosat has previously introduced BlackBerry Zone in Jakarta to help its subscribers to download BlackBerry related applications. Last May, according to the Division Head PR Indosat Adita Irawati, the number of Indosat’s BlackBerry has passed the 100,000 mark. / Investor Daily, pg 24

BEI Releases Stock Index with Environment Based

On World Environment Day, June 5, Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) releases new index group to complete earlier index group. New group is based on environment namely SRI-KEHATI index. This index conducted by cooperation with Kehati Foundation. Emitters that included this index group, for instance PT Indosat tbk and PT Telkom Tbk. / Neraca, pg 5

StarOne Expands Network in West Java

PT Indosat Tbk expands StarOne services in seven cities in West Java to complete coverage to 63 cities in West java. The seven cities are Sukabumi, Cianjur, Sumedang, Purwakarta, Subang, Tasikmalaya and Garut. Community in those seven cities can enjoy free call to fellow StarOne and special tariff to call cellular beside unlimited internet connection under term and condition. / Bisnis Indonesia, pg I8, Neraca, pg 5, Jurnal Nasional, pg 4, Suara Karya, pg 7, Okezone, 7/6 17:04

FREN Financial Test Completed

Mobile-8 Telecom's obligation holder second meeting would be held on 30 June. Mandiri Sekuritas, the company's financial consultant, was reported to have finished FREN financial due dillgence since Thursday (4/6). "(The due dilligence) should be completed," stated Andiona Boedisoenjoto, Permata Bank VP Head Solution Delivery Transaction Banking. Permata Bank acted as FREN obligation custodian. / Kontan, pg 5

Blackberry XL reaches 95,000

PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk (XL) recorded active Blackberry’s users ahs reached 95,000 at end of May 2009. "It should be 120,000 but the active member only 95,000,” said Manager Broadband BlackBerry 3G XL Handono Warih in Jakarta after launched XL-Mall in Jakarta, recently. Warih optimist at the end of year Blackberry XL users will reach 150,000. / Seputar Indonesia, pg 14

XL Mall

Vice President Direct Sales XL Djunaedi Hermanto with General Manager Direct Sales Strategy Xl Budi Harjono and GM Direct Sales XL Handono Warih showed BlackBerry Storm product in the XL-Mall launching in Jakarta, Saturday (6/6). XL Mall presents simplicity for XL BlackBerry customers to access information, content, application, and other various programs. / Investor daily, pg 23, Bisnis Indonesia, pg I8

Telkomsel Customer Day

A customer activated T-mobile wallet Cash during the day Telkomsel customer in Jakarta, last week (6 / 6). Telkomsel conducted customer day simultaneously in six cities, as part of series of activities to Telkomsel 14^th anniversary. This activity is also as one Telkomsel appreciation to customer’s trust. Investor Daily, pg 23, Indo Pos, pg 17, Suara Karya, pg 7

Telkomsel Aim to Gain More Data Customer in 2009

Telkomsel had committed to add the number of data customer in Java and Bali. In order to reach the goal, the biggest telecommunication operator in the country would build 430 nodes B in the areas in question until the end of the year. Telkomsel Java and Bali area Vice President, Gilang Prasetya, stated that node B was base transceiver stations for 3G connection. In Central java and Yogyakarta, Telkomsel had built 170 nodes B, in East Java 160 and in Bali and Nusa Tenggara 100. In addition, Telkomsel would also add the capacity of each of its BTS. / Investor Daily, pg 24

A cell phone, less ordinary

Spend a little time with the iPhone 3G, and you will soon understand why everyone craves one. The iPhone 3G may not be a better smartphone than its top-of-the-line rivals, but it does have one very powerful attraction. Like most of the products that come out from Apples mill, it is chock-a-block with features. In Indonesia, only Telkomsel offers iPhone 3G. The company has been aggressively marketing the iPhone 3G. While it cannot reveal how many units of iPhone it has sold because of a nondisclosure agreement with Apple, Telkomsel spokeper-son Suryanda Stevanus assured me that their sales were growing steadily. / The Jakarta Post, pg 25

Telkom is uninterested in buying Elnusa’s shares in Patra: an Oil and Gas company sells its subsidiary

PT Elnusa Indonesia Tbk wishes to sell its subsidiary, PT Patra Telekomunikasi Indonesia to PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (Telkom). The company tries for diversification to help it focus on the operation of oil and gas services. Managing Director Telkom Rinaldi Firmansyah, however, said that his company is not interested in buying the shares of PT Elnusa. “We are not interested for we already have a subsidiary in the industry of VSAT (satellite based network provider)”, he said on Sunday (6/7) / Koran Jakarta, pg 11

Telkom Divre I Sumatra: The development for outermost island is a top priority

Nipah is on of the outermost island in Sumatra, bordering the Singapore. According to the General Manager of Telephone Branch Office (Kandatel) The Riau Islands (KEPRI) Mulyanta, the island is only 2 km from Singapore and 4 km from Batam. The 60 hectares island can be reached by boat in 1-2 hours.
To protect this island from incursion from other countries, such as the case with Ligitan and Sipadan, Nipah is garrisoned by the Navy. PT Telkom, in this case, its Divre I Sumatra office, equip the Navy with adequate telecommunication facilities./ Suara Karya, pg 7

Telkom Holds CDMA Public Phone

Telkom launched wireless public phone with CDMA based technology by using SOBAT Card. Starterpack SOBAT has price Rp15,000. Mas'ud Khamid, EGM Divre II Jakarta said that SOBAt is valid to Flexi Telkom area and could be functioned in all Telkom Flexi public phone. “For first step we install 600 Flexi public phones at public area,” sated Mas’ud through press release, last week. / Bisnis Indonesia, pg I7, Investor Daily, pg 24, Suara Karya, pg 7

The local government’s decrees of common towers proliferates: local revenues VS city planning

Sunday, June 07, 2009

The government, together with other stakeholders, strives to craft regulation that can facilitate and regulate the building of telecommunication towers (the based transceiver station, BTS). The effort is spurred by the dispute on the regulation on towers by the local government of Badung, Bali; a case that eventually went to court. Learning from such conflicts, in the last few months several local governments tried to regulate the towers by issuing decrees on common towers. Several local governments have prepared the drafts for such regulations, for instance the local government of the cities of Batam, Singkawang, Sidoarjo, Gresik, and the local government of the province of North Sumatra. / Suara Pembaruan, pg 19

Indosat Gain 11 Awards

Contact Centre PT Indosat Tbk gained 11 awards in the event of Best Contact Center Indonesia 2009. Indosat received six awards for individual and five for corporate categories. Valuation is delivered by judges from call center practitioners, independent judge and international judges from Asia Pacific Customer Service (APCS) and Hong Kong Call Center Association (HKCCA). This is the third award received by Indosat for its customer service in 2009. / Koran Tempo, pg C6

BTEL Provides Insurance for Esia’s customers

Esia operator, Bakrie Telecom (BTEL) cooperates with life insurance Mega Life provide protection to its customers. The insurance offers to Esia’s user who has actiovate GOGO features. “This facility automatically provides to everyone who has activate Esia GOGO," said Vice President Director BTEL, Erick Meijer in the press release in Jakarta, Tuesday (2/6). / Suara Pembaruan, pg 19

XL expands its network in West Java

PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk (XL) confirmed its commitment in servicing isolated areas by building telecommunication towers and expanding network. This week XL opened the network in the village of Kemang, the district of Bojong Picung, Cianjur, West Java . XL is the first operator to open such coverage in the area. Director of Corporate Service XL Joris de Fretes said one consideration for building network in such an isolated area is the commitment to service the communities in the nooks and crannies of the country. / Suara Pembaruan, pg 19

Focus on additional network, CSR Indosat only Rp 15 billion

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Indosat sets CSR program budget worth Rp15 billion. The amount dropped compare to previous year which reached Rp 40 billion. Division Head Public Relations Indosat Adita Irawati stated CSR budget cut due to economics situation is unstable so as company have to prudent in budget allocation. / Rakyat Merdeka, pg 13

Indosat Not Depend on International Direct Dial

Indosat revenue from international Direct Dial (SLI) dropped continually since the company established in 1967. In the beginning, 100 percent Indosat revenue came from SLI. Nowadays, SLI contributes only below ten percent to total Indosat revenue, while 90 percent comes up from cellular and multi media. "To keep standing Indosat works to explore innovation. Indosat has also expecting license broadband wireless access (BWA),” said President Director PT Indosat Johnny Swandi Sjam, in the opening of Indosat Wireless Innovation Contest (IW1C) in Purwakarta, Thursday (4/6). / Warta Kota, pg 26

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