Direct call from Arabia

JAKARTA (JP): State-owned international telecommunications firm PT Indosat is again offering its Indonesia Direct collect call service from Saudi Arabia to Indonesian haj pilgrims, an executive said over the weekend.

"Indonesian pilgrims can dial 1-800-62 Indonesia Direct from Saudi Arabia and get an Indosat operator who speaks Indonesian," Indosat public relations manager J.B. Basuki said.

"People can dial the number from public telephones, hotels, offices and houses."

The calls will be charged to the call receiver, making it convenient for haj pilgrims.

Indosat will also cut by 25 percent the cost charged by the Saudi Arabian phone company.

For example, Indosat would charge Rp 30,000 (US$12.5) for a five minute call if the Saudi firm would charge Rp 37,700.

The Indonesia Direct call service can be used in 38 countries. (10)