Frequency allocations only need software, adjustment<\/p>\n
Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The planned relocation of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
\noperators currently operating on third generation (3G)-assigned
\nfrequencies should not involve a massive change in
\ninfrastructure, a Telkom executive and a telecommunications
\nobserver say.<\/p>\n
Vice president of state telecommunications firm PT Telkom
\nGaruda Sugardo said over the weekend that all base transceiver
\nstations (BTS) for the company's fixed-wireless service Flexi
\ncould operate at both 800 Megahertz (MHz) and 1,900 MHz
\nfrequencies.<\/p>\n
\"Most of our customers use dual-band phones, so they do not
\nhave to change their handsets,\" Garuda told The Jakarta Post,
\nadding that the relocation would mainly require software and
\nengineering adjustments.<\/p>\n
Minister of Information and Telecommunications Sofyan Djalil
\nhas said that all CDMA operators using a bandwidth of between
\n1,920 MHz and 1,980 MHz should move to make way for 3G technology
\nin the country.<\/p>\n
Flexi, which has some 1.7 million customers in Jakarta, West
\nJava and Banten and uses 3G-assigned frequencies, and Indosat's
\nStarOne, with some 100,000 users, will be the most affected by
\nthe new policy.<\/p>\n
Primasel and Wireless Indonesia, two companies that have
\nlicenses to operate in the 3G frequency band but do not have any
\nsubscribers, will also need to move.<\/p>\n
\"We will have to move to 800 MHz,\" said Garuda. \"This band is
\nalready full with other operators.\"<\/p>\n
Most recent CDMA handset models can operate both in 800 MHz
\nand 1,900 MHz. Older models, like Sanex SC 7080, are single-band
\nat 1,900 MHz.<\/p>\n
Garuda remains optimistic the frequency alteration can be
\naccomplished without any problems, as the government has said it
\nwill take place in five years. \"We have enough time to prepare
\nfor it.\"<\/p>\n
An executive at the Indonesian Infocom Society, Mas \"Wig\"
\nWigrantoro, said two to three years would be sufficient to
\ncomplete the relocation process.<\/p>\n
\"The tender for the frequency band that is currently being
\nused by Flexi can go ahead before the relocation is completed,\"
\nsaid Mas Wig.<\/p>\n
\"The tender winner has to be willing to wait a while before
\noperating in the frequency,\" he added.<\/p>\n
3G technology, a far more advanced level of the currently used
\nsecond-generation technology, offers faster data transfer and
\nsubstantially enhanced quality. It enables real-time video
\nstreaming and video conferencing through cellular phones, among
\nother services.<\/p>\n
The government is trying to rearrange the 3G-frequency
\nallocation following requests for bandwidth slots from the
\ncountry's major players, which argue that companies that have
\nsecured spectrums have failed to show progress.<\/p>\n
PT Cyber Access Communications and PT Natrindo Telepon
\nSeluler\/Lippo Telecom were granted 3G-licenses and allocated
\nfrequency spectrums two years ago. However, these companies have
\nyet to operate the technology.<\/p>\n
A new tender for 3G bandwidth slots is expected to be held at
\na later date, with operators getting 5Mhz in the first
\ndisbursement. The government expects to reap Rp 5 trillion
\n(US$515 million) in revenue from the tender.<\/p>\n
Mas Wig said the government must shoulder some of the
\nfinancing burden for the relocation program. \"The government gave
\nthe license to Flexi to operate in 1,900 MHz,\" he said. \"It
\nshould be fair and bear some of the costs.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/frequency-allocations-only-need-software-adjustment-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}