Telkomsel to provide pictures, tunes via SMS

Telkomsel to provide pictures, tunes via SMS

JAKARTA (JP): Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications
provider PT Telekomunikasi Selular (Telkomsel) is preparing a new
service which will allow its customers to buy pictures and tunes
for their handsets through the short message service (SMS).

Director of operations at Telkomsel Laurens J.M. Bulters said
the new service, which will be introduced later this year, was
aimed as a value-added facility for users.

"Users of KartuHalo postpaid cards and simPATI prepaid cards
will be able to use the facility. They will be able to choose
favorite pictures and tunes for their handsets and get them via
SMS," he said.

He said Telkomsel always tries to introduce new and innovative
services to users to keep its existing customers and grab new
ones.

Such measures also prove Telkomsel has been a leading operator
since its establishment six years ago, he added.

"As the market leader of a digital mobile cellular service in
Indonesia, it is the aim of Telkomsel to introduce any new
technology to the public."

He said Telkomsel also planned to launch a trial operation of
the general packet radio service (GPRS) later this year.

This service is a packet-switched mobile data communications
service that enables high-speed transmissions, which are needed
for mobile Internet browsing and e-mail.

"With a higher speed, better applications can be made," he
said.

Bulters said his company would operate a new call center with
more operators to provide better service to customers.

"We will open a new call center in the Kuningan area with 100
operators. It will be equipped with new infrastructures and
software," he said.

With some 1,600 base transceiver stations (BTS) across
Indonesia, Telkomsel also pledges to offer good coverage. It
regularly installs additional stations in various areas to
improve service. The company will install 400 new stations this
year.

In addition to the stations, the quality of its network is
supported by micro cells, macro cells and an integrated
controller system.

Also, for customer satisfaction, Telkomsel runs graPARI, a
service center which allows users to buy the KartuHalo or simPATI
cards. There are currently 65 service centers across the country.

The company provides extra convenience for users with a handy
payment system. This includes an online system in collaboration
with 14 banks.

Telkomsel has currently 2.2 million users which shows that the
company has won the public's trust, Bulters said.

"This year we expect to see 3 million users," he said.

There are currently 4.2 million mobile phone users in
Indonesia, served by seven cellular operators. Three of the
operators are GSM providers. This year, competition in the
cellular phone market will be fiercer with the initial operation
of several new operators, including those owned by PT Telkom and
PT Indosat, which apply the DCS-1800 networks.

"Competition is good. The market needs it. Each player will be
forced to be creative and innovative to survive," said Bulters.

Established in May 1995, Telkomsel keeps improving itself and
its performance in order to continue growing and to remain the
most innovative cellular operator in the country.

-- I. Christianto