1. Stlind (1 x 30)

1. Stlind (1 x 30)

Satelindo to open network in Kalimantan, Sulawesi

JP/ /satelindo

Satelindo to expand network in Kalimantan, Sulawesi

Cellular operator PT Satelit Palapa Indonesia (Satelindo) plans
to invest some US$250 million this year to develop the cellular
infrastructure in Kalimantan and Sulawesi, a senior company
official said on Wednesday.

Satelindo's executive vice president for business development,
Noor S.D.K. Devi, said it was hoped the development program would
enable the company to achieve its target of three million
customers this year, from the current 1.8 million.

"The enhancement in network coverage, capacity and features is
aimed at reaching this year's target of three million customers.
One of the new features is the Mentari Instant Top-Up, a mobile
commerce facility that is the first in the Indonesian market,"
Noor said.

Satelindo is the country's second largest cellular operator
after PT Telkomsel. The company is 75 percent owned by state-
owned telecommunications firm PT Indosat, with the remaining 25
percent stake held by Germany's Deutsche Telekom. But Indosat is
currently in final negotiations with Deutsche Telekom to purchase
its 25 percent stake.

Indosat said earlier this week that it would inject about $75
million into Satelindo in July to help finance its expansion
program.

2. Money (1 x 40)

Asian monies down late; dollar questioned

JP/
Most Asian Currencies Dn Late;Dlr's Durability Questioned

The dollar held its ground against most Asian currencies
Thursday, although many analysts questioned whether its recent
rally is sustainable.

After sinking to multi-month lows against several regional
currencies the dollar has stabilized over the past few sessions
as the outlook for U.S. equity markets has perked up.

With many players short dollars globally, the dollar rally
picked up steam quickly on short-covering against not only Asian
currencies, but those in Europe as well.

The latest batch of good news for the dollar came in the form
of a 7.8 percent surge in the NASDAQ Composite Index and a 3.1
percent rise in the Dow Jones Industrial Average overnight.

The dollar rallied to a two-week high against the yen early in
the Asian session, putting most other Asian currencies on the
defensive.

3. Apji (2 x 27)

Internet blackout threat
fails to materialize

JP/ /apjii

The Association of Indonesian Internet Service Providers (APJII)
canceled at the last minute a planned three-day Internet blackout
because of objections from its members.

The chairman of APJII, Heru Nugroho, said he regretted that
APJII's members were not united enough to make the decision on
the blackout.

"The decision to shut down the Indonesian Internet Exchange
(IIX) was canceled last night because of severe differences of
opinions among us," he said on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Heru said the members of APJII had agreed to
launch the blackout starting on Wednesday morning, in protest of
government inaction in regulating the industry.

APJII currently has 60 active members throughout Indonesia.
Several members, including four prominent Internet Service
Providers (ISPs) -- PT Telkom, PT Indosat, PT M-Web Indonesia and
PT Bolehmail -- would not consent to the planned blackout.

Telecommunications expert Roy Suryo said the cancellation of
the blackout proved there was friction inside the association.

4. Gold (2 x 20)

Gold sluggish in dull
European trade

JP/
Gold sluggish in dull European trade

Gold consolidated around the US$308.00 a troy ounce mark on
Thursday with a public holiday across most of Europe keeping
business quiet throughout the market, traders said.

Little significant trade was taking place, but a test of
support at $307.00 could not be ruled out, given the sustained
net long position hanging over the market, traders said.

"We continue to believe that a further period of correction
will be seen in gold, although we remain positive on the
prospects for the metal once some of the weak longs have been
shaken from the market," UBS Warburg analyst John Reade said in a
report.

However, the downside is likely to be limited given the
scattering of good physical demand below the market.

"The market is in pretty good shape and we are impressed with
gold's performance. There is some good physical demand between
support at $306.50-307.50," one trader said.