France eyes RI's cellular project

JAKARTA (JP): France Telecom, the French telecommunications operator, plans to participate in the tender for the Personal Communication Network (PCN) expected to be held later this year.

PCN is the next generation of digital cordless telephone systems.

Company international development executive vice president Marc Dandolet said yesterday France Telecom was interested in operating the Digital Cordless System (DCS-1800) or the Personal Handy-phone Service (PHS) in Indonesia.

"During my week visit here I will meet with officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications and also with our existing partners, PT Telkom and PT Astra International," he said.

France Telecom, which will list part of its shares in France later this year, has several projects in Indonesia. One of its Indonesian projects is Siska, the computerized customer management system designed to improve Telkom's efficiency and customer service. Siska is being jointly developed by France Telecom subsidiary Sofrecom.

In cooperation with Astra, France Telecom has also set up PT Pramindo Ikat Nusantara, a company which will install 516,000 telephone lines in Sumatra under a 15-year contract with Telkom.

"We are interested in entering the wireless telecommunications business. We still have to choose a local partner in Indonesia as well as the appropriate technology and location in this country," Dandolet said.

"But we believe there is the opportunity to develop the wireless technology in Indonesia," he said.

Last year the government planned to adopt at least one cellular mobile telecommunications systems, in addition to the three existing systems run by seven operators. The three existing systems are the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), the Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) and the Nordic mobile telephone system.

In the meantime all local AMPS operators -- PT Metrosel, PT Telekomindo and PT Komselindo -- will upgrade their services into Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) later this year.

The government has decided to adopt the Digital Cordless System (DCS-1800) and the Personal Handy-phone Service (PHS) after successful trials here and in Surabaya, East Java, last year.

Director General of Post and Telecommunications Djakaria Purawidjaja said recently the government was now in the prequalification process for the cellular open tender.

Dandolet said France Telecom ran PHS and DCS-1800 systems in France and other nations.

"We also operate DCS-1800 in Poland. In Japan, we have a stake in Astel, a PHS operator. France Telecom runs GSM in Guangzou, China, and in Bombay, India, in cooperation with local partners."

Dandolet said the French government would probably list between 20 percent and 25 percent of France Telecom's shares.

Reports said the privatization was expected to raise about 25 billion francs or US$5 billion. (icn)