Telkomsel plans to simplify billing<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Subscribers to the global system of mobile
\ntelecommunications (GSM) run by PT Telkomsel can now pay their
\nbills through Visa and MasterCard credit cards following an
\nagreement signed yesterday by Telkomsel and Bank Duta.<\/p>\n
Under the agreement signed by Telkomsel president Koesmarihati
\nSugondo and Bank Duta president Muchtar Mandala, the bank would
\nhandle all payments through Visa and MasterCard cards --
\nincluding those issued by other domestic banks -- by directly
\ndebiting them.<\/p>\n
Telkomsel director of finance Hulman Sidjabat said the
\nagreement would further strengthen his company's billing
\ncollection system.<\/p>\n
\"Now that we have this agreement with Bank Duta, our customers
\nhave maximum flexibility and convenience in the way they wish to
\npay their phone bills. Payment is already possible by cash, bank
\ntransfer, direct debit\/auto debit and automatic teller machines,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Telkomsel is cooperating with Bank BCA and Bank BNI 1946 to
\nhelp subscribers pay their monthly bills.<\/p>\n
Koesmarihati said Telkomsel operated in 186 cities nationwide
\nand had about 180,000 subscribers.<\/p>\n
\"The country's cellular operators compete on service and
\ncustomer satisfaction, so we are trying to provide more
\nfacilities,\" she said, adding that Telkomsel would enter East
\nTimor on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Telkomsel, incorporated in May 1995, is one of the country's
\nthree GSM operators. The other GSM operators are PT Satelindo and
\nPT Excelcomindo.<\/p>\n
Koesmarihati said Telkomsel would improve its infrastructure
\nby using fiber-optic and microwave networks installed by state-
\nowned domestic telecommunications operator PT Telkom.<\/p>\n
Telkomsel is owned by Telkom, PT Indosat, PT Setdco Megacell
\nAsia and PTT Telecom of the Netherlands.<\/p>\n
\"Telkom, for example, has installed four main networks in Java
\nisland, including the northern and southern fiber-optic routes
\nand the microwave networks supplied by NEC of Japan,\"
\nKoesmarihati said.<\/p>\n
She said Telkomsel would set up its own networks in other
\nareas with poor basic telecommunications infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Infrastructure is a major element which allows cellular
\noperators to provide better service.<\/p>\n
Excelcomindo plans to set up fiber-optic networks in Java.
\nKompas daily reported yesterday that Excelcomindo would install
\nfiber-optic cables along Java's railway tracks, owned by state
\nrailway firm Perumka.<\/p>\n
Muchtar Mandala said yesterday Bank Duta would make Rp 70
\nbillion (US$29.63 million) in profit this year, up 75 percent
\nfrom Rp 40 billion in 1995.<\/p>\n
He said the higher profit was caused by a more than 20 percent
\ncredit expansion.<\/p>\n
\"Our assets will reach Rp 5 trillion this year, from about Rp
\n3.1 trillion last year,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Publicly listed Bank Duta's management changed last year when
\ntimber tycoon Mohammad Hasan became its chief commissioner and
\nMinister of Industry and Trade Tunky Ariwibowo and Head of the
\nNational Logistics Agency Beddu Amang joined its board of
\nadvisors.<\/p>\n
Mandala said Bank Duta, the first domestic bank to issue
\ncredit cards, had about 120,000 MasterCard and 80,000 Visa card
\nholders.<\/p>\n
A director of MasterCard International in Indonesia, Iwan
\nNotowidigdo, said there were about 1.9 million MasterCard and
\n900,000 Visa card holders in Indonesia. (icn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/telkomsel-plans-to-simplify-billing-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}