Satelindo reforms billing system<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Private telecommunications operator PT Satelindo
\nsigned agreements yesterday with nine banks to support its
\nbilling services for subscribers to its global system for mobile
\n(GSM) cellular communication network.<\/p>\n
The agreements were signed by Satelindo president Iwa Sewaka
\nand the top executives of nine domestic banks: Bank Ekspor Impor
\nIndonesia, Bank Dagang Negara, Bank Artha Graha, Bank Dagang
\nBali, Modern Bank, Lippo Bank, Bank Internasional Indonesia, Bank
\nCentral Asia and Bank Danamon.<\/p>\n
Under the accords, the banks will directly deduct the monthly
\nfees due to Satelindo from its GSM subscribers' accounts.<\/p>\n
The banks will withdraw the charges five days prior to the
\nlast date for payment and then channel the collected funds to
\nSatelindo's account after deducting a collection fee.<\/p>\n
Iwa said that Satelindo, which provides GSM services in seven
\nmajor cities in Indonesia, had so far listed 82,000 subscribers.
\n\"The number will likely reach 100,000 by the end of this year,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Satelindo is 45 percent owned by PT Bimagraha Telekomindo,
\n22.5 percent by PT Telkom, 7.5 percent by PT Indosat and 25
\npercent by DeTeMobil of Germany. Satelindo raised US$586 million
\nin March from the sale of the 25-percent stake to DeTeMobil.<\/p>\n
\"We expect to gain a profit of between Rp 50 billion and Rp 75
\nbillion next year,\" Iwa said.<\/p>\n
Satelindo, which was established in 1993, operates both GSM
\nand international telecommunications services. The company will
\nalso operate the country's Palapa-C1 satellite, which will be
\nlaunched next month.<\/p>\n
The company decided to seek a loan after canceling a plan to
\nissue debt instruments to generate additional funds to finance
\nits expansion projects.<\/p>\n
Iwa said that his company will receive a loan of $230 million
\nfrom Bank Ekspor Import Indonesia. The Export Import Bank of the
\nUnited States has already extended a $100 million loan to
\nSatelindo for the launching of Palapa-C1.<\/p>\n
\"Our annual revenues from international call services this
\nyear may reach Rp 60 billion and from GSM services Rp 120
\nbillion,\" he said. \"We also expect to raise revenues of $56
\nmillion per annum from leasing Palapa-C1's transponders.\"<\/p>\n
Palapa-C1 has 34 transponders, each of which is leased at
\nbetween $1.5 million and $3 million per year. (icn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/satelindo-reforms-billing-system-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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