Iridium users can access local GSM network<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Iridium satellite mobile phone users visiting
\nthe country can now access the local global system of mobile
\n(GSM) network of PT Excelcomindo Pratama and save up to 75
\npercent on their telephone costs, an executive of Excelcomindo
\nsaid on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Customer service and corporate affairs director Rudiantara
\nsaid Iridium users here would pay US$1.5 per minute for roaming
\nExcelcomindo's GSM network, a fraction of the regular cost.<\/p>\n
\"On the usual basis, international roaming would cost Iridium
\nusers up to $7.5 per minute,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Excelcomindo is the first GSM operator in Indonesia, and
\nsecond in Southeast Asia after Thailand, to enable Iridium users
\nto roam in the local GSM network to their destinations, he said.<\/p>\n
The Iridium system in Asia is provided by Pacific Iridium
\nTelecommunications Co. Ltd, a Taiwan-based telecommunications
\nfirm owned by Iridium LLC of the U.S.<\/p>\n
Iridium LLC operates 66 satellites through its 12 gateway
\noperators worldwide, serving about 9,000 subscribers.<\/p>\n
Rudi said the memorandum of understanding on roaming
\ncooperation between Excelcomindo and Pacific Iridium was actually
\nsigned last year, but came into practice only this week due to
\nthorough preparation and testing processes, including on
\ntechnical matters and customer billing.<\/p>\n
In May, users of Excelcomindo's GSM-XL will be able to access
\nthe Iridium satellite network whenever they travel to overseas
\ndestinations where the GSM network is unavailable, he said.<\/p>\n
\"We estimate the addressable market of GSM-XL users to access
\nthe Iridium satellite network overseas is about 3,000 out of the
\ntotal 200,000 GSM-XL and Pro-XL active subscribers,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Asked about the financial benefits of the agreement to
\nExcelcomindo, Rudi said the company would charge Pacific Iridium
\na roaming fee of $1.5 per minute per user, whereas Iridium will
\ncharge its subscribers a surcharge of about 15 percent for
\naccessing through Excelcomindo's network.<\/p>\n
Rudi did not disclose the charge for GSM-XL users who access
\nIridium satellite network overseas.<\/p>\n
Most users of the Iridium network here and overseas are
\nworkers in the maritime, forestry, search and rescue and oil
\nfields, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Those are the places where the GSM network is sometimes not
\navailable,\" he added.<\/p>\n
GSM-XL users who want to access the Iridium satellite network
\noverseas need special satellite cellular telephones, such as
\nMotorola's satellite series.<\/p>\n
Excelcomindo began operations in late 1996 and currently
\nserves Greater Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Bali
\nand Lombok.<\/p>\n
It is owned by Nynex Corp. of the U.S., Japan's Mitsui, Asian
\nInfrastructure Fund and Indonesia's PT Telekomindo
\nPrimabhakti. (cst)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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