STT seek better deal for Indosat

STT seek better deal for Indosat

SINGAPORE: Singapore Technologies Telemedia may seek greater regulatory protection for its 42 percent-owned Indonesian carrier Indosat to ensure a more level playing field with rival Telkom, analysts said in a published report on Thursday.

"A fair, competitive and transparent environment in the industry is critical to promote a level of playing field which will ultimately benefit consumers," ST Telemedia spokeswoman Melinda Tan told The Business Times.

ST Telemedia bought its Indosat stake last year for US$634 million and plans to make the company a world-class operator.

The Indonesian government still holds a 15 percent stake in Indosat.

Tan described the telecom industry in Indonesia as "promising, as illustrated by the strong operating revenue of Indosat".

But analysts said Indosat may be losing out because every gateway now belongs to Telkom, the country's dominant telecommunication company. -- DPA