VoIP operators forced to tie up<\/p>\n
Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government is pushing 12 unlicensed Voice over Internet
\nProtocol (VoIP) operators to set up a joint-operation scheme with
\ntwo operators, PT Gaharu Sejahtera and PT Atlassat Solusindo,
\nsaid Directorate General of Post and Telecommunications spokesman
\nGatot S. Dewa Broto.<\/p>\n
Gatot said on Monday that his office was involved in talks
\nwith the 12 VoIP operators.<\/p>\n
The VoIP operators are considered illegal because the
\ngovernment said that they had not been granted the necessary
\nlicenses. Authorities recently raided the operators.<\/p>\n
Only five operators have licenses. In addition to Gaharu and
\nAtlassat, the legal VoIP operators include companies linked to
\nstate-owned telecommunications firms PT Telkom, PT Indosat and PT
\nSatelindo.<\/p>\n
The 12 VoIP operators have protested against the government
\npolicy to limit the number of operators. In a bid to resolve the
\nproblem, the government has proposed that the other operators set
\nup joint operations with Gaharu and Atlassat.<\/p>\n
But the 12 VoIP operators preferred to set up joint operations
\nwith Telkom's unit, arguing that the credibility and commitment
\nof Gaharu and Atlassat were in doubt.<\/p>\n
A source said that the minister of communications was believed
\nto be backing Gaharu and Atlassat.<\/p>\n
The directorate general of post and telecommunications
\nrecently barred the 12 operators from pursuing a deal with
\nTelkom's unit to set up a joint operation business.<\/p>\n
Experts said that the move has created new uncertainty in the
\nsector since according to Ministerial Decree No. 23\/2002,
\ncompanies that are granted licenses to operate VoIPs are free to
\ncooperate with any company.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/voip-operators-forced-to-tie-up-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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