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