Telecom watchdog to get into gear next month
Telecom watchdog to get into gear next month
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The recently established Indonesian Telecommunications
Regulatory Body (BRTI) will start operation in the middle of
next month, a senior government official said on Friday.
Secretary-general of the Ministry of Communications Agus
Pramono said that the telecommunications industry watchdog would
be run by a five-member committee, to be chaired by outgoing
Director General of Telecommunications Djamhari Sirat.
According to a ministerial decree on BRTI issued by the
Ministry of Communications in July, the body will regulate and
oversee telecommunications services and networks; issue licenses;
settle disputes and set a benchmark for services.
The consumer grouping expects the BRTI to be able to take
measures to protect consumer interests such as ensuring
transparency in the calculation of phone charges or regulating
the premium call business of phone companies, particularly as
many telephone customers have complained that they have been
charged for premium calls they claimed they did not make.
Meanwhile, telecom industry players hope that BRTI could
resolve the current pressing problems in the industry which
include formulation of a regulation on universal service
obligations (USO) and the revision of the regulation on
interconnection fee calculations. The USO program is aimed at
boosting telecom services in rural areas, but there is no
regulation as yet to ensure the project is carried out by the
telecom operators.
Currently there are nine telecommunication companies operating
in this country with state-owned PT Telkom holding the largest
market share in local fixed-line and cellular services.
Despite concerns about the independence of BRTI, since it is
established by the government, hopes and expectations are still
high that BRTI can help sort out the current mess in the industry
to help ensure fair competition, lure more investments and
protect customers.
Elsewhere, Agus said that the government had selected four
members of the BRTI committee including chairman Djamhari. They
include Koesmarihati, a telecommunications expert, Soetjipto a
legal expert, and Suryadi Azis, an expert on social issues.
He said that the economics expert had not been selected yet as
no existing candidates fulfilled the criteria.
The committee members will have a two-year mandate, and can be
reelected for a second term.