Muslim cellphone keeps the faith

Indonesian Muslims struggling to balance work with the holy fasting month of Ramadan are relying on special cellphones to help them keep the faith.

Islamic gadgets are especially popular in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, during Ramadan, when religious fervour is high and devout Muslims abstain from food, drink, profanities and sexual activities from dawn-to-dusk. [more, thewindsorstar]

CTM, Telkomsel sign joint-venture agreement

Local telecommunications company CTM and Indonesian telecommunications company Telkomsel yesterday signed a joint-venture agreement to mark the launch of a new prepaid calling card which will allow Indonesians in Macau to call family and loved ones for a fraction of the price.
In a ceremony presided over by secretary for transport and public works, Lau Si Io, both sides said that the agreement would bring benefits to the local Indonesian community. [more, macaudailytimes]

Over 500 Million New Mobile Subscribers From Asia Forecast

Over 500 million new mobile subscribers are expected from Asia’s emerging economies by 2012, according to a report.

Asia's emerging markets, comprising eight nations, are expected to see mobile subscriber net gains of 573 million by end-2012, breaching the one billion mark to close the year at an estimated 1.06 billion subscribers, according to a forecast by market research company Frost & Sullivan.. [more, IQonline]

Asia-Pacific Leads in Broadband

While the Asia Pacific region is making accelerated progress in the telephony sector, the area in which the region really stands out is the uptake of advanced Internet technologies, especially broadband Internet access.

This is according to a report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The ITU launched its key Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Report for the Asia-Pacific region, at the ITU Telecom Asia 2008 in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sept. 1. [more, pcworld]

XL to launch secondary share offer by 2009

Indonesia’s third largest mobile operator by subscribers Excelcomindo (XL) says it plans to launch a secondary share offering by 2009, placing between 10% and 15% of its share capital with the public through the process. Reuters quotes company president Hasnul Suhaimi as saying that part of Malaysian mobile phone firm TM International's equity holding will be sold in the secondary offering. [more, telegeograhy]

Indosat, RIM introduce BlackBerry Bold in Indonesia

Indosat and Research In Motion (RIM) has introduced the new BlackBerry Bold smartphone in Indonesia.

The BlackBerry Bold supports HSDPA networks and features a 624 MHz processor, integrated GPS and Wi-fi, a newly designed QWERTY keyboard, improved display and multimedia capabilities. [more, DMasia]

Asia's 8 emerging markets to have 1b mobile users by 2012

ASIA'S emerging mobile markets, excluding China, are expected to see subscriber net gains of 573 million by end-2012, breaching the one billion mark to close the year at an estimated 1.06 billion subscribers.

The finding comes from a report by Frost & Sullivan covering eight nations: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, all of which have mobile penetration rates of under 50 per cent. [more, asiaone]

Report: Asia-Pacific Holds Great Potential for WiMax

Research and Markets, a research firm that conducts studies and analysis focused primarily upon the telecommunication and technology industries, reportedly has announced it is putting out a new research report, “The Asian Pacific WiMax Market 2008.” [more, Wimaxtoday]

Indonesian shares end morning higher; coal miners lead gains on oil price rise

... Indonesian CDMA-based cellular operator PT Mobile-8 Telecom rose on market speculation that the company has been a target of acquisition by a number of telecom companies, including PT Bakrie Telecom. {more, forbes]

Indonesia Excelcom plans secondary share offering by 2009

JAKARTA, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Indonesia's third largest mobile phone operator, PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk EXCL.JK, said on Wednesday it will offer 10-15 percent of its share capital to the public through a secondary offering by 2009. [more, reuters]

Grameen Foundation, Bakrie Telecom and Qualcomm Join Efforts to Enable Affordable Telecommunications Access to Rural Indonesia

NUSA DUA, Bali, July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Grameen Foundation,
Bakrie Telecom and Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM) through its Wireless
Reach(TM) initiative, today announced the launch of the first Village Phone
Program in Indonesia, branded as Uber ESIA, using 3G CDMA technology to
provide affordable wireless telecommunications services for rural communities.
The launch was held at the Asia-Pacific Regional Microcredit Summit held in
Bali, Indonesia. [more, earthtimes]

Indonesia's Excelcom H1 net soars on FX, subscribers

JAKARTA, July 29 (Reuters) - Indonesia's third-largest mobile phone operator, PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk EXCL.JK, reported on Tuesday its net profit soared 15-fold, after doubling its subscriber numbers and on foreign exchange gains. [more, reuters]

2008 Asia - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband in Indonesia and Timor Leste Provides a Comprehensive Overview of the Trends and Developments in These Mark

DUBLIN, Ireland-(Business Wire)-July 23, 2008 - Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/5047cd/2008_asia_teleco) has announced the addition of the "2008 Asia - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband in Indonesia and Timor Leste" report to their offering. [more, digital50.com]

Small shareholder wants cut in SingTel's directors' fees

A SMALL-time shareholder with just 190 of the company's shares hit out at what the board of directors was being paid at Singapore Telecommunications' (SingTel) annual general meeting on Friday, before 360 other shareholders and journalists. [more, straitstimes]

Telkomsel Targetkan Mobile Wallet Tumbuh 100%

Telkomsel memproyeksikan dapat menggandakan jumlah pengguna mobile wallet Telkomsel Cash atau T-Cash. Operator tersebut juga tengah mempersiapkan sistem layanan pengiriman uang (remittance) pertama melalui seluler di Indonesia. [more, studiohp]

Inflation clouds earnings, outlook for SE Asia telecoms

SINGAPORE: Southeast Asian telecoms providers look set to unveil mixed quarterly results, hit by stiff price competition and as high inflation curbs spending, but rising commodity revenues should insulate consumer demand in Thailand and Indonesia. [more, dailytimes]

Qtel launches offer for further Indosat shares, studying new regulations

Qatar Telecom (Qtel) has submitted a tender offer to acquire all outstanding 'B' shares of Indosat, following its purchase last month of a 40.8% stake in the Indonesian cellco. The tender offer includes American Depositary Shares, but excludes those held by existing controlling stakeholders, according to online newspaper The Peninsula. [more, telegeography]