EN, Motorola ink deal

JAKARTA (JP): PT Elektrindo Nusantara (EN), a subsidiary of the diversified Bimantara Group, has signed an agreement with telecommunications giant Motorola of the United States to set up a wireless data network in Indonesia.

EN would be the first wireless data network operator to provide nationwide two-way mobile data communications, Motorola stated yesterday.

The wireless data network would let users transfer funds electronically, access e-mail and databases and exploit automated dispatch and mobile field maintenance for sales and technical support services without telephone line connections, the company said.

The network, to work at 19.2 kilobytes per second, is scheduled to open in the first quarter this year, with the initial deployment of 40 base stations in Greater Jakarta.

The widespread adoption of the system throughout Asia, would offer possible regional inter-connectivity and roaming accord, providing users border-less communications, the company said.

Executives of EN and Motorola were unavailable to provide information on the contract's value or the expected tariffs for the system. (icn)