Pos plans Internet service

BANDUNG, West Java (JP): State-owned postal service company PT Pos Indonesia plans to introduce a new service which uses the Internet global computer network, providing customers with electronic access to information and electronic mail.

Company president Cahyana Ahmadjayadi said here on Monday that the service, to be known as Wawasan Nusantara Network (Wasantaranet), will be launched in 1996 in Bandung; Jakarta; Semarang, Central Java; and Surabaya, East Java. He said the service would subsequently be extended to other major cities.

"The new service will get information access to other networks supplied by several educational institutions. Wasantaranet will be the cheapest integrated postal service, since it will offer electronic mail as well," he said, adding that each installation of the network would cost about Rp 70 million (approximately US$30,000).

In another move aimed at improving its business, Pos Indonesia plans to operate a Fokker F-28 aircraft, beginning in January next year.

The F-28, which will be modified especially for postal services, will be operated by PT Pos Ekspres Prima, a subsidiary of Pos Indonesia, Cahyana said. (icn)