Telkomsel targeting 23m subscribers by year-end

Telkomsel targeting 23m subscribers by year-end

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The country's largest mobile telecommunications firm PT Telkomsel
revealed on Thursday that its total number of subscribers had
reached 20 million as of today, and that it targets 3 million
more by the end of the year.

The company registered 16 million users at the end of last
year.

Commercial director Yue Kuen Moon said robust demand from
towns and districts outside of Java contributed to the numbers of
new subscribers.

"It is supported by the building of new base transceiver
stations (BTS), which currently stand at about 7,000 units across
Indonesia," said Moon, adding that the firm plans to build some
3,000 new BTS this year.

Moon said that his company holds more than 50 percent share in
the country's mobile phone market.

Telkomsel is now also preparing for the implementation of
advanced third generation communications (3G) technology, having
secured a license for a 3G trial earlier this year.

Telkomsel President Director Kiskenda Suriahardja said the 3G
trial will be a guide to the implementation of 3G networks in the
country.

"We are not only studying the technical preparation, but also
human resources and readiness of related vendors," said Kiskenda
at the launching of Telkomsel's 3G trial in Jakarta.

The trial was held live using the existing Telkomsel network
and supported by Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) technology provided by
three mobile phone manufacturers: Ericsson, Siemens and Nokia.

Ericsson supports 3G infrastructure from Blok M, South
Jakarta, to Bunderan Hotel Indonesia, Central Jakarta. Siemens
supports the infrastructure from Cawang, East Jakarta, to Slipi,
West Jakarta. Meanwhile, Nokia covers Kuningan, South Jakarta, to
Thamrin and the State Palace in Central Jakarta.

Telkomsel planning and development director Bambang Riadhy
Oemar said the trial, which is limited to corporate and Global
Packet Radio Service (GPRS) customers, will be held starting
August.

Currently there are five holders of 3G frequency licenses:
Cyber Access Communication with 15 MHz, Natrindo Telepon Seluler
with 10 MHz, Wireless Indonesia with 5 MHz, Telkom Flexi with 5
MHz and Indosat StarOne with 5 MHz. There is 20 MHz of 3G
frequency left over.