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Fri, 27 May 2005

JP/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.