France eyes RI's cellular project

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)