Telkom rings wrong number with kiosks

Telkom rings wrong number with kiosks

BOGOR (JP): Operators of the 253 telecommunications kiosks
here have complained of carelessness by PT Telkom in issuing new
licenses without first considering interests of existing
businesses.

They charged on Tuesday that the state telecommunications
firm's negligence had led to the proliferation of the kiosks,
locally known as Wartel, which in turn caused a significant drop
in their earnings.

"There are many new kiosks around mine now, which has caused a
decline in our daily turnover," said Djoko, the owner of a kiosk
on Jl. Siliwangi.

Leman, who operates a business Jl. Baru in Cimanggu, added:
"My turnover has dropped about 25 percent since the appearance of
the new kiosks here."

The operators said they hoped Telkom would be more
discriminating in its license issuance by studying an area first.

"Otherwise, many of the existing operators will go bankrupt
and the business will be taken over by those with big funding,"
Leman said.

He said the meeting of the Bogor Association of Wartel
Operators (APWI) -- held on Sunday and Monday -- also urged
Telkom to slightly reduce its designated take of kiosks' earnings
to help operators weather the financial crisis.

Telkom has been asked to collect 85 percent, instead of the
current 92.5 percent, on tolls on international calls made from
kiosks.

Local Telkom spokesman Harismaya declined to comment
specifically on the operators' complaints.

"It's valuable input for us. We'll discuss these matters and
evaluate (our work)," he said. (24/bsr)