PT Asatel launches satellite-based services<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Privately owned PT Asatel Global Komunikasi has
\nlaunched Planet-1, a satellite-based telecommunications service,
\nin Indonesia in cooperation with state-owned PT Indosat.<\/p>\n
Company general manager for operations, Marcellus Liman, said
\nyesterday the new service would be available through Inmarsat
\nsatellite networks on the geostationary orbit.<\/p>\n
\"The services include facsimile, data, voice communications
\nand Internet used on smaller terminals like notebooks from any
\npoint on land, sea or in the air throughout the world which do
\nnot have any fixed telephone lines or which is not covered by a
\ncellular system,\" Asatel's president David Simbar said.<\/p>\n
Planet-1 will network with cellular systems, offering seamless
\nroaming via a global network of earth stations which serve as
\ngateways to the International Maritime Satellite's (Inmarsat)
\nsatellite system and wireless networks.<\/p>\n
Liman said Planet-1 was developed by a consortium of Design
\nContinuum and Comsat of the United States and NEC of Japan.<\/p>\n
He said Asatel Global Komunikasi had only invested in the
\nbilling system worth Rp 3 billion as Planet-1 networks and
\nservices was developed by the overseas consortium.<\/p>\n
Asatel is a private firm owned by the Risjad Group of
\nbusinessman Ibrahim Risjad and Infoasia Group of Simbar.<\/p>\n
Inmarsat has also introduced a satellite-based
\ntelecommunications service called Geo-7, which is provided in
\nIndonesia by Indosat.<\/p>\n
Indosat, which has a stake in Inmarsat, has its main earth
\nstation, including seven giant antennas, in Jatiluhur, West Java.
\nIndosat also controls Inmarsat's satellite in geostationary orbit
\nover the Indian Ocean region, one of Inmarsat's four major
\ncoverage areas. The others include the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic
\nOcean West and Atlantic Ocean East regions.<\/p>\n
Liman refused to reveal how much his company would share its
\nrevenues from Planet-1 with Indosat.<\/p>\n
He said a portable terminal for the service cost about
\nUS$5,000, while call charges would follow government regulation.
\nCharges for the Planet-1 system for calls made from Indonesia
\nstarted at $2.4 a minute, he added. (icn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pt-asatel-launches-satellite-based-services-1447893297",
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