Telkom project to proceed despite Satelindo pullout<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): State-owned domestic telecommunications provider
\nTelkom will continue its 36-transponder satellite project despite
\nthe withdrawal of its partner, PT Satelindo.<\/p>\n
Telkom's president, Asman A. Nasution, said yesterday
\nSatelindo's pullout would not affect the satellite's launch
\nschedule.<\/p>\n
The satellite will replace Telkom's Palapa-B2R satellite which
\nhas a normal operational life which ends in April next year.<\/p>\n
"Telkom will face problems if it does not prepare a new
\nsatellite. In addition, we have also promised this new satellite
\nbefore listing our shares," he said.<\/p>\n
He said the new Telkom-1 satellite was scheduled for launch in
\nlate 1998.<\/p>\n
"We are still interested in a joint satellite project with
\nSatelindo," Nasution said.<\/p>\n
The minister of tourism, post and telecommunications, Joop
\nAve, said yesterday that the government had approved Telkom to
\ncontinue the satellite project alone and would allow the company
\nto lease out part of the satellite transponders.<\/p>\n
Satelindo executives refused to comment on the company's
\npullout from the project.<\/p>\n
Sources said it was Telkom which quit the alliance and asked
\nthe government for approval to carry out the project alone.<\/p>\n
"Telkom should have the chance to run its own satellite as it
\nis important for the domestic telecommunications network that it
\nkeeps its services. Telkom has also the chance to lease part of
\nthe transponders if there is any remainder," Joop said.<\/p>\n
Telkom is Indonesia's first communications satellite system
\noperator since Indonesia entered the satellite business in 1976.
\nThe company has two operating satellites in orbit, the Palapa-B2R
\nand the Palapa-B4, which have normal operational lives due to end
\nin April 1998 and May 2001.<\/p>\n
Telkom and Satelindo had planned to develop a joint multi-
\nmillion dollar satellite project to offer 60 transponders.<\/p>\n
Satelindo operates two satellites, the Palapa-C1 and Palapa-
\nC2, Indonesia's third generation of the satellite system.<\/p>\n
Telkom and Satelindo competed with each other in the satellite
\nbusiness until 1993 when Satelindo was licensed -- without any
\nopen bid -- to run the satellite service.<\/p>\n
Satelindo then took over Telkom's commercial satellite
\nbusiness.<\/p>\n
Satelindo which runs cellular phone and international call
\nservices is controlled by PT Bimagraha Telekomindo -- a joint
\nventure between President Soeharto's son Bambang Tirahatmodjo's
\nBimantara Group and the Artha Graha Group, owned by businessman
\nTomy Winata who has close links to the Armed Forces.<\/p>\n
The other shareholders are Germany's DeTeMobil, Telkom and PT
\nIndosat.<\/p>\n
Telkom has appointed U.S. firm Lockheed Martin to make the
\n36-transponder satellite. The broken alliance between Satelindo
\nand Telkom invited four other satellite makers to bid for the
\nproject. They were Hughes Space and Communications Company, Loral
\nCorporation, Matra Marconi and Aerospatiale to bid for the
\nproject. (icn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/telkom-project-to-proceed-despite-satelindo-pullout-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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