Telecom watchdog to get into gear next month<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The recently established Indonesian Telecommunications
\nRegulatory Body (BRTI) will start operation in the middle of
\nnext month, a senior government official said on Friday.<\/p>\n
Secretary-general of the Ministry of Communications Agus
\nPramono said that the telecommunications industry watchdog would
\nbe run by a five-member committee, to be chaired by outgoing
\nDirector General of Telecommunications Djamhari Sirat.<\/p>\n
According to a ministerial decree on BRTI issued by the
\nMinistry of Communications in July, the body will regulate and
\noversee telecommunications services and networks; issue licenses;
\nsettle disputes and set a benchmark for services.<\/p>\n
The consumer grouping expects the BRTI to be able to take
\nmeasures to protect consumer interests such as ensuring
\ntransparency in the calculation of phone charges or regulating
\nthe premium call business of phone companies, particularly as
\nmany telephone customers have complained that they have been
\ncharged for premium calls they claimed they did not make.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, telecom industry players hope that BRTI could
\nresolve the current pressing problems in the industry which
\ninclude formulation of a regulation on universal service
\nobligations (USO) and the revision of the regulation on
\ninterconnection fee calculations. The USO program is aimed at
\nboosting telecom services in rural areas, but there is no
\nregulation as yet to ensure the project is carried out by the
\ntelecom operators.<\/p>\n
Currently there are nine telecommunication companies operating
\nin this country with state-owned PT Telkom holding the largest
\nmarket share in local fixed-line and cellular services.<\/p>\n
Despite concerns about the independence of BRTI, since it is
\nestablished by the government, hopes and expectations are still
\nhigh that BRTI can help sort out the current mess in the industry
\nto help ensure fair competition, lure more investments and
\nprotect customers.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, Agus said that the government had selected four
\nmembers of the BRTI committee including chairman Djamhari. They
\ninclude Koesmarihati, a telecommunications expert, Soetjipto a
\nlegal expert, and Suryadi Azis, an expert on social issues.<\/p>\n
He said that the economics expert had not been selected yet as
\nno existing candidates fulfilled the criteria.<\/p>\n
The committee members will have a two-year mandate, and can be
\nreelected for a second term.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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