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