Indosat operates ICO system

Indosat operates ICO system

JAKARTA (JP): State-owned PT Indosat won a deal yesterday to
operate ICO Global Communications, a satellite-based personal
communications services provider, in Indonesia.

The deal was signed by Indosat's director of corporate
development, Safwan Natanagara, and ICO's president, Olof
Lundberg.

"In the 21st century, ICO will be able to provide appropriate
telecommunications which can be used anytime and anywhere in the
world. The ICO system offers a dual-mode system, using satellites
and existing cellular networks," Safwan said.

The ICO system is a global mobile satellite system, set to use
12 satellites, that will permit mobile voice and data
communications through hand-held telephones anywhere in the
world. The first satellite is scheduled to be launched next year.

Indosat and the London-based ICO inked last April a deal
allowing Indosat to construct and operate a satellite access node
for the ICO service and operate it from 2000 to 2010. ICO will
supply US$42 million in earth station equipment to the location
in Banyuurip, East Java. (icn)