Telephone rates

Telephone rates shouldn't go up

From Forum Keadilan

The delay in discussions at the House of Representatives (DPR) on the increase of telephone rates is understandable, due to the lack of transparency in the calculation of such an increase, as presented by PT Telkom. In addition, PT Telkom has not given its customers much advance notice of the planned increase.

I cannot accept their reason that the increase is necessary due to expansion and continued maintenance of the existing network. It is an investment and there are other ways to fund it, such as the selling of bonds, shares or finding new investors.

In reality, PT Telkom makes a huge profit every year and this year, for the first six months, it reaped a profit of Rp 1.72 trillion. As a blue chip corporation, with its shares selling at around Rp 3,650, it should not raise its rates.

The government, as well as PT Telkom, should also be more transparent regarding the joint operation scheme (KSO), as I get a strong impression that the above planned increase has been pushed by these partners, who are foreign companies. It also doesn't make sense that the rate increase for the next two to three years has already been fixed.

It is obvious that the government and PT Telkom do not take people's purchasing power into consideration, as stated in Law No. 36/1999 on telecommunication rates. Furthermore, the development of technology in telecommunications should make rates lower and more affordable.

AS AD NUGROHO Coordinator of Consumer Empowerment Program

Jakarta