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)