Smartcard phones to start ringing

Smartcard phones to start ringing

JAKARTA (JP): Four private companies will soon be running public telephones using the new Smartcard technology.

During the first phase, the four firms together with the state-owned telephone company, PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom), will install and operate on a 14-year build, operate and own basis a total of 57,000 telephone lines.

Managing Director of Multisaka Mitra, S. Nurhandayani, told reporters yesterday that the first phase of the project will require PT Multisaka Mitra to install 25,000 lines for Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java and Sulawesi; PT Prisma Sentra Agung, 12,000 lines (Jakarta, East Java, Bali and Kalimantan); PT Intikom Telepersada, 10,000 lines (West Java and Sumatra); and PT Telum Nusantara -- owned by the cooperative of the employees of the Ministry of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications -- 10,000 lines (Jakarta and West Java).

In the second phase, six other firms -- PT Maharani Teletama, PT Wahana Komunikatama, PT Khatulistiwa Eka Dharma, PT Menara Putra, PT Abhimata Citra Abadi and PT Sirihmas Nusantara -- will install and operate another 60,000 telephone lines.

Nurhandayani said that unlike conventional magnetic phone cards which are presently operated in the country, the Smartcard will apply a "central management system". The system records phone traffic at a central office, making the phone cards less prone to vandalism and fraud.

The Smartcard will be issued by PT Telekomindo in collaboration with Telkom and the state-owned mint and banknote printing company, Perum Peruri.

Nurhandayani said the government has not specified a date when the four companies can start operations.

However, government sources say the project will be launched on the 11th of this month.

The private firms, Nurhandayani said, will invest between $1,400 to $1,700 per telephone unit.

A Smartcard phone terminal which makes up to 2,500 calls will give Telkom 60 percent of the revenues and the private investor 40 percent; from 2,501 to 3,500 calls, the share will be 65:35; from 3,501 to 4,500 calls, 70:30,; from 4,501 to 5,500 calls, 75 to 25; and from 5,501 or more calls, 80: 20. (pwn)