Cellular services for holidaymakers

Cellular services for holidaymakers

Holidaymakers celebrating Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year
will be able to access nearest points of services during their
journeys by using their cellular phone handsets.

The TelkomselSIAGA service is provided by GSM operator
Telkomsel. It offers ease to holidaymakers as they do not have to
memorize many numbers, only easy-to-memorize four-digit numbers.

Through the numbers, holidaymakers, will be able to find
information on automotive service, ATMs, police assistance,
hotels, hospitals, traffic and gas stations.

For automotive service, for example, Telkomsel users can just
call 1000 for Isuzu, 7000 Daihatsu and 8000 Suzuki. For general
information, dial 1234.

This service, effective from Dec. 18, 2000, to Jan. 5, 2001,
is offered for routes traditionally packed during the seasons.
With Idul Fitri falling between Christmas and New Year, there
will be an even bigger exodus.

Routes covered by TelkomselSIAGA are South Sumatra, Java and
Bali.

Telkomsel has arranged a clustering method, grouping some Base
Transceiver Stations in certain areas. So, callers are able to
dial the four-digit numbers to get information. This is similar
to when GSM users want to make an emergency call: they dial 112
anywhere there is GSM coverage.

With regard to customer care, it collaborates with other car
dealers, handset maker, Bank Central Asia, Pro2 FM and other
radio stations along the routes in South Sumatra, Java and Bali.

Telkomsel is the nation's leader of GSM, frequently
introducing services based on the latest technology.

The company introduced recently mobile banking, which allows
the cellular handset can operate like an ATM.

In cooperation with Panin Bank, services provided on this
mobile banking facility include account statements, fund
transfers, details on the last five transactions, monthly billing
charge payments (electricity, water, telephones, credit cards and
Telkomsel's kartuHALO), and interest rate information as well as
PIN changing mode.

Telkomsel also tries to offer top-quality service not only to
its postpaid users, but also to its prepaid simPATI card holders.

The number of mobile telephone subscribers has been growing in
Indonesia. The number is expected to climb from 2.05 million in
1999 to 3.2 million by the end of 2000 and 4.5 million in 2001.

GSM is also run by Satelindo and Excelcomindo. Telkomsel,
however, is the leader in terms of number of subscribers as it
has established a solid customer base, especially in all major
cities around the archipelago.

In the sharp competition for mobile telecommunications
services, each player will have to offer various value-added
services for the sake of customer satisfaction.

Hopefully, travelers, not only those who own cars, during the
holidays of Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year will benefit from
TelkomselSIAGA.

Upcoming topics for
IT Superhighway:

MP3 portable

players -- Dec. 18

MP3 car -- Jan. 08

Digital

cameras -- Jan. 15

Teleconference-- Jan. 22