Opportunity for private sector in telecom<\/p>\n
The economic crisis has seriously impacted the business of
\nmembers of the Indonesian Telecommunications Association
\n(Apnatel). The depreciation of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar
\ncaused this because most components used in the
\ntelecommunications industry are imported and paid for in dollars.<\/p>\n
Many contracts Apnatel members have with state-owned PT Telkom
\nand private company Telkomsel are not being renewed, causing the
\ncompanies lost business. According to Apnatel chairman Rahardjo
\nTjakraningrat, approximately 70 percent of 1,400 companies are
\nfacing bankruptcy and are changing their line of business.<\/p>\n
To overcome the problem, especially in regard to employees
\nspecializing in telecommunications who are facing retrenchment,
\nApnatel is providing training through a non-governmental
\norganization, so that they can become operators of Warung telefon
\n(Wartel) as this is a promising line of business. Members are
\nalso developing a more complete concept, in which they can work
\neither in Indonesia or abroad.<\/p>\n
The telecommunications sector needs to be prepared to face
\nglobalization. "We should start with improving the human
\nresources sector as there are big challenges in this sector,"
\nRahardjo said.<\/p>\n
As for government policy governing the industry, Rahardjo said
\nit was quite good but some changes, such as abolishing collusion,
\ncorruption, nepotism, were needed.<\/p>\n
Apnatel, through its Telecommunications Society, has also
\nformed a team to work in cooperation with the Ministry of
\nCommunications on recommending amendments to Regulation No. 3.<\/p>\n
With regard to PT Telkom and PT Indosat, Apnatel disapproves
\nof plans to sell their shares in order to find a strategic
\npartner to raise about US$1.5 trillion. It claims the timing is
\nnot good because at the moment the price is very low, while PT
\nTelkom, PT Indosat and other telecommunications companies have
\ngood prospects, provided that Indonesia's economy recovers soon.<\/p>\n
Apnatel said it would be better if this field was given to
\nlocal professional people appointed by the government, from
\noutside both companies, to recharge the business culture in
\nfacing competition.<\/p>\n
"If we don't give our professionals a chance, they will never
\nbe world-class operators," Rahardjo said.<\/p>\n
On telephone tariff increases, Rahardjo approved as long as
\nthey were proportional and did not burden society. The increases
\nare needed because lines are paid for in dollars, he said.<\/p>\n
As for Apnatel members, Rahardjo suggested that they find a
\nwise solution to deal with current problems and that they
\nmaintain their present ability in order to be prepared for any
\npositive changes that may happen in future telecommunications
\ndevelopments.<\/p>\n
He said telecommunications technology always advanced, not
\nonly for telephones but also for multimedia as well as data
\ntransfer and computerization systems.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/opportunity-for-private-sector-in-telecom-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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