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)