Telkomvision to triple number of subscribers this year

Telkomvision, a pay-TV company operated by PT Indonusa Telemedia, which in turn is owned by state telecommunications provider PT Telkom, hopes to triple the number of its customers to 120,000 this year through its prepaid pay-TV service. [more, thejakartapost]

Temasek's leading lady bets on Barclays

... Temasek's investment in Indonesia's PT Indosat (ISAT.JK: Quote, Profile, Research) has also come under attack, in part because Temasek-linked companies are big investors in the country's telecoms sector. Temasek says it is not involved in any anti-competitive business practices. [more, reuters, economictimes]

Telekom Malaysia Records RM885.9 Mln Pre-tax Profit

... The increase in cellular revenue was mainly contributed by its subsidiaries Celcom (M) Bhd and PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk, arising from an increase in customers and usage, Telekom's group chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Wahid Omar said during a press conference here today. [more, bernama, star-techcentra, theedgedaily]

Jakarta shares close lower on profit-taking; Medco, BCA limit index fall -UPDATE

Index heavyweight Telkom shed 50 rupiah or 0.5 percent to 10,950 while rival Indosat declined 150 rupiah or 2 percent to 7,350. [more, forbes]

Excelcom reports rising 1H profits, subscriber numbers

Publicly-listed mobile operator PT Excelcomindo Pratama (Excelcom) reported gross operating income of IDR3.7 trillion (USD408.1 million) in the first half of 2007, a 28% rise on the same period of 2006, driven by subscriber gains thanks to the introduction of new ‘service programmes’. At the end of June the company had 10.2 million customers, up 22% year-on-year from 8.4 million in June 2006. Pre-tax income in the six-month period was also up 29% from IDR1.2 trillion to IDR1.6 trillion. [more, telegeography]

TELKOMSolution, build integrared infocom service for high end market

... TELKOMSolution is the answer for the need of business world,” said Vice President Public & Marketing Communication Telkom, Eddy Kurnia on lauching TELKOMSolution logo at Chase Plaza Building, Jakarta. Eddy say, that TELKOMSolution specialy designe for company who need integrared information technology support. [more, telkom]

Govt asks cellular operators to disclose their cost structure

JAKARTA (Antara): Communications and Information Minister Muhammad Nuh has called on cellular operators to disclose their cost strutures so that the government can see whether or not it is possible to lower their service rates. [more, thejakartapost]

Three Ways to Invest in Indonesia

... Indosat tbk PT (IIT) was founded in 1967. It is a large telecommunications company in Indonesia which trades on the New York Stock Exchange. It has a P/E of 27.6, a P/S of 3.13, and a yield of 3.1%. Its quarterly earnings were up 26%, on a 30% increase in earnings. [more, seekingalpha.com]

XL posts Rp3.7 T in gross profit

Surabaya, E Java (ANTARA News) - Publicly-listed cellular phone operator PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk (XL) said on Tuesday its gross income in the first half of 2007 rose 28 percent to Rp3.7 trillion from the same period last year on its successful service programs offered to subscribers. [more, antaranews]

Telkomsel responds

... Telkomsel's "You've Got Mail" (TYGM) is a push email service from various accounts directly to cellular phones, like the short message service (SMS). It is the first push email service in Indonesia which can be enjoyed both by pre- and post-paid customers. [more, thajakartapost]

Indonesia Telecommunications Market Report

... A look at the composition of leading Indonesian telecoms operator Telkom’s revenues tells the story of the local market. Whilst fixed revenues contributed 40% of the telco’s income in 2001, today this figure stands at about 20%. Meanwhile, the operator’s mobile unit now contributes 40% of revenues, whilst 16.5% are now accounted for by data and internet services. This represents quite a switch in consumer demand towards the popularity of wireless, voice and, increasingly, non-voice value added services, and even high-speed broadband internet access. Despite these positives, growth is not as it might be in Indonesia’s telecoms market (and certainly not in the fixed-line sector), whilst even the rise of the mobile market in 2006 has been a little disappointing. It points to a weak infrastructure, investor concerns over security, corruption and taxation levels, and a lack of competition for this failure for Indonesia to live up to expectations. [more, prlog.org]

Indosat adds 3.3 million customers in H1

Indonesian operator Indosat added 3.3 million new customers in the first six months of this year, representing a rise in customers of 44 percent year-on-year, the Jakarta Post writes. The company ended the period with some 20 million subscribers, president director Jhonny Swandi Sjam said. At the end of this year, Indosat targets 21 to 23 million customers. [more, telecom.paper.nl]

Indosat hits 20 million customers in first semester of 2007

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - State-owned satellite operator PT Indosat booked 3.3 new cellular customers in the first semester of 2007, bringing the total number of its customers to 20 million, its President Director Johnny Swandi Syam has said. [more, antaranews, thejakartapost]

Smooth operator

... For 2007 and beyond, the Asian telecommunication industry is expected to capitalise on past consolidation and reforms to chart new cycles of growth, characterised by higher investments and development of advance networks, building of new infrastructure and provisions for more value added services. [more, thestaronline]

Bakrie Telecom ups customer target to 3.6 million this year

Bakrie Telecom (BTEL), the telecommunications unit of Bakrie and Brothers, reported Wednesday a 63 percent rise in gross revenues to Rp 580 billion (US$63.7 million) in the first semester, from Rp 355 billion in the same period of 2006. The company, which operates a CDMA-based mobile phone service using the Esia brand, attributed the sharp increase to a 112-percent jump in the number of its subscribers to 2.2 million as of the end of June from 1.1 million at the end of the same month in 2006. [more, thejakartapost]

Mobile-8 assigned 'B2' corporate family rating with stable outlook - Moody's

MUMBAI (Thomson Financial) - Moody's Investors Service has assigned a 'B2' corporate family rating with a stable outlook to Mobile-8 Telecom Tbk, reflecting the company's market position as the fourth largest mobile cellular operator in Indonesia. [more, abcmoney]

UPDATE 1-SingTel keeps '08 outlook for single-digit sales growth

... SingTel, Singapore's biggest company by stock market value, has expanded into fast-growing mobile phone markets outside its saturated home base -- such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and India -- and last month announced the purchase of a 30 percent stake in Warid Telecom, Pakistan's third-largest mobile operator, for $758 million. [more, reuters]

Govt told to improve telcom service

House of Representatives Commission I overseeing information, defense and foreign affairs told the government Wednesday to provide a cheap telecommunication service to the public by revising industry regulations. The commission said it would stay away from the buy-back controversy on foreign ownership in PT Indosat and PT Telkomsel. [more, thejakartapost]

Indonesian parliament tells government not to buy back Indosat shares - report

JAKARTA (Thomson Financial) - The Lower House of Parliament (DPR) has told the government not to buy back shares in PT Indonesian Satellite Corp (Indosat), the country's second-largest telephone operator, now held by Singapore Technologies Telemedia, Bisnis Indonesia reported Thursday. [more, forbes]

Excelcom targets 30% revenue growth

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s third-largest mobile phone operator, PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk, hopes to achieve around 30 percent revenue growth in 2007, but may miss a target of 4.5 million new users, its president said on Tuesday. [more, dailytimes]

Indonesia's Indosat end-June mobile users up 20 pct

JAKARTA, July 18 (Reuters) - Indonesia's second-largest telecommunications firm, PT Indosat Tbk (ISAT.JK: Quote, Profile, Research), had 20 million mobile phone users by the end of June, up from 16.7 million at the end of 2006, its president director said on Wednesday. [more, reuters.co.uk]

The Compound Annual Growth Rate of Wireless Communication Equipment Markets

The Asian telecom market is of large scale and great investment potential. The good foundation of customers will be an impetus to the recovery of the telecommunication industry. Four markets are developing fastest in Asia. They are China, Indonesia, India and Vietnam. [more, tmcnet.com]

Bakrie Telecom subscribers up 112 percent

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - PT Bakrie Telecom Tbk (BTEL) disclosed that the number of its subscribers until the first semester of 2007 reached 2.245 million, up by 112 percent compared to the 1.061 million in last year`s same period. [more, antaranews]

Motorola looks to connect with RI's largely untapped mobile phone market

... For the business sector we now have MOTOQ, which is available in both CDMA and GSM. Our business proposition for two versions of the MOTOQ is the very slimness.
... One of the most unique things we see here that we have not seen anywhere else is a lot of Indonesians carry two phones -- CDMA and GSM phones. People make calls in CDMA and receive calls in GSM. [more, thejakartapost}

Roaming deal push vowed

... Last month Saudi Telecom agreed to buy 25pc of Malaysia's Maxis in a $3 billion deal to gain access to Indonesia and India, and complete southeast Asia's biggest buyout. [more, gulf-daily-news.com]

Foreign Telecoms Reach Out

... Governments in Europe and Asia began privatizing former state-owned phone companies in the late 1990s. But privatization lags in many developing countries, especially in central Asia, the Middle East and Africa. India's big telecom market has also been slow to liberalize. Some countries, including China and Indonesia, still limit foreign investment. When governments finally do open up markets, large foreign telecom firms rush to cash in. [more, money.cnn.com]

Jakarta shares up sharply in early trade on Wall St rise, main index at new high

... Telkom rose 450 rupiah, or 4.1 percent, to 11,350 while rival Indosat added 200, or 2.7 percent, to 7,650. [more, forbes]

Telkomsel's service

... It was the second time I was disappointed by Telkomsel. Several months ago, when I wanted to activate the "Pelindung Dataku" service, I had to call the Call Center. I had to wait for some 10 minutes. [more, thejakartapost]

Indonesia Telkom Adds 8.2 Million New Mobile Phone Subscribers In 1st Half

JAKARTA -(Dow Jones)- Indonesia's largest telecommunications operator PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia added 8.2 million new mobile telephone subscribers during the first half of the year, a company official said Wednesday. The new subscribers brought its total mobile phone customers to 47.3 million as of end-June, from 39.1 million as of end-2006, said Telkom Finance Director Sudiro Asno. [more, cellular-news.com]

Indonesia's Telkom sees improved Q2 earnings due to higher subscriber base

JAKARTA (Thomson Financial) - Indonesia's largest telephone operator PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) said Wednesday it expects to report stronger earnings in the second quarter to June compared to the previous quarter due to the higher subscriber base for its cellular and fixed wireless telephone services. [more, forbes.com]

CDMA2000 Continues to Dominate 3G Wireless Market in Asia Pacific

BEIJING, July 10, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The CDMA Development Group (CDG) today announced that CDMA2000(r) continues to dominate the Asia Pacific 3G wireless telecommunications market with more than 161 million 3G subscribers in the region, representing a 30% CAGR. 62 CDMA2000 operators in 29 countries are offering commercial 3G services, and 50% of the Asia Pacific operators will be offering EV-DO broadband data services to more than 39 million subscribers by the end of the year. [more, primenewswire.com]

Thales Alenia to deploy Indosat’s Palapa-D orbiter

Indonesian communications company Indosat has selected Thales Alenia Space to build and launch its broadband internet satellite Palapa-D. According to local press reports the satellite will be launched in 2009 and will be the first ‘D’ series satellite to be launched by the telco.[more, telegeography.com]

PT Indosat Accelerates Higher In Late-Morning Action [IIT]

7/9/2007 11:56:29 AM PT Indosat (IIT) surged higher during late-morning trading Monday. The stock traded with uncertainty during the first 45 minutes of the session before briefly moving lower. At 10:30 am ET, shares of the company accelerated higher. At 11:52 am, the stock traded at a mark of $39.81, a gain of $1.84 for the day. PT Indosat was testing a resistance level set in late-May. [rttnews.com]

Indonesia blacklists FDI

... The foreign-investment restrictions are by far the most maintained by any regional government and ironically come at a time when foreign direct investment (FDI) to Indonesia trails regional rivals - not to mention China.
According to Trade Minister Mari Pangestu, the ruling, which represents the first major revision in more than seven years, is designed to protect "national interests". As with the previous list, the provisions appear to apply only to FDI, and not to purchases of shares of companies listed on the local stock exchange. The new list will be in force for three years unless revised earlier by a government team tasked with regularly assessing the list. Business fields not covered by the decrees are open to investment unless otherwise closed by law. [more, atimes.com]

Indonesia-Singapore relations: Strained again?

... On the investments of Temasek, the investing arm of Singapore's government, in Indonesia's telecommunications sector, especially Indosat, Indonesians have to be reminded that when we needed the funds, there were not many buyers, and Singapore bought the Indosat shares at a premium price. Thus, if we intend to buy back the shares, it should be done at the prevailing market prices. That is the way to conduct business and there are no short-cuts. [more, thejakartapost]

Telekom Malaysia sees Indonesian investment unchanged from Jakarta's new ruling

KUALA LUMPUR (Thomson Financial) - Malaysia's largest telecommunications provider Telekom Malaysia does not expect the new ruling in Indonesia governing foreign ownership in telecom companies to affect its shareholding in PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk.
Telekom currently holds a 67 percent stake in Excelcomindo. [more, forbes]

Negative list

... It's true these sectors -- telecommunications and insurance -- became more restrictive, with foreign ownership in telecommunication companies (telcos) now restricted to 65 percent for mobile services and 49 percent for fixed network, with the insurance industry at 80 percent.
In reality, foreign ownership in a number of telcos is way above 65 percent, including in Excelcomindo Pratama (70 percent), Hutchinson CP Telecom Indonesia (100 percent) and Natrindo (90 percent). [more, thejakartapost]

Bakrie Extends Prepaid Rating and Charging System

... The Indonesian telecom service provider will build upon Redknee's existing converged real-time rating and charging solution for voice, data, messaging and content services. [more, tmcnet.com]

Indonesian government caps new FDI in telecoms sector

The government of Indonesia has adopted legislation to cap new foreign investment in the country’s telecoms market, the trade minister said on Wednesday. The move, which is designed to protect national interests, comes amid rising concerns from some Indonesian politicians over the growing influence of foreign businesses in what is currently Southeast Asia’s leading economy. [more, telegeography.com]

05-07-2007: Maxis, TM may be spared from cutting stake in Indonesian units

Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) and Maxis Communications Bhd may have escaped having to cut their respective stakes in their Indonesian investments.
Indonesia announced yesterday a cap on new foreign investment in parts of the transport, property and fast-growth telecoms sectors in the name of protecting national interests. [more, theedgedaily.com]

Indonesia caps new diversified foreign investment

JAKARTA: Indonesia has capped new foreign investment in sectors such as transport, property and fast-growth telecoms, the trade minister said on Wednesday, citing a need to protect the national interest.The new ruling, effective from Tuesday, comes amid concerns raised by some politicians over the growing influence of foreign business in Southeast Asia’s top economy after a series of state asset sales since the Asia crisis a decade ago. [more, thenews]

Indonesia Restricts Telecom Ownership

... Foreign ownership of cellular companies will be limited to 65 percent and to 49 percent of fixed line operators, Pangestu told a news conference. The new rules apply mainly to telecommunications companies that would be formed in the future, she said. [more, forbes]

Indonesia cuts foreign ownership limit in cellphone cos to 65 pct - UPDATE 2

JAKARTA (Thomson Financial) - The Indonesian government has issued a new presidential instruction that limits foreign ownership in cellular phone companies to a maximum of 65 percent from 95 percent previously, Trade Minister Mari Pangestu told reporters Wednesday at a media briefing. [more, forbes]

3G Subscribers in the Asia-Pacific Region

... In India, CDMA's days are numbered if Reliance follows through its plan to eventually migrate its base to GSM technology. In China, growth in Unicom's CDMA base has consistently underperformed that in its GSM base for the last seven quarters. All this will make life increasingly harder for the pure CDMA operators who remain committed to the technology, particularly for the smaller operators in markets like Indonesia and Vietnam. [more, cellular-news]

Redknee to Enable Data Rating and Charging for Bakrie Telecom

TORONTO - July 03, 2007 - Redknee (AIM: RKN), a leading provider of innovative infrastructure software that monetizes and personalizes services and content for mobile operators, today announced that Bakrie Telecom (BTEL), a leading Indonesian telecom service provider, is extending its Redknee prepaid Unified Rating and Charging System (URCS) to include postpaid subscribers. Bakrie Telecom will build upon Redknee's existing converged real-time rating and charging solution for voice, data, messaging and content services. [more, searchbyheadlines.com]

Indonesia's Indosat awards Thales Alenia to build, launch Palapa-D satellite

JAKARTA (Thomson Financial) - Indonesia's PT Indosat said Tuesday it has appointed Thales Alenia Space France (TASF) to build and launch its Palapa-D satellite.
The satellite is set to be launched in 2009 and has a service life of 15 years. [more, forbes]

Jakarta peaks, Bangkok firm on rate cut hopes

... Indonesia’s main stock index rose 1.33 percent to a record 2,167.82 points, beating a previous peak of 2,167.451 points on June 26. Thailand’s SET index added 2.05 percent to 792.71 points, its highest since mid-January 2004.
... Bank Rakyat Indonesia rose 3.5 percent, Telkom Indonesia added 0.5 percent and Indosat gained 3.9 percent. [more, khaleejtimes]

Mobile-8 seeks greater market share, expands network coverage

Cellular operator PT Mobile-8 Telecom has gone nationwide to take on its competitors in Indonesia's growing mobile phone market, rolling out its "Fren" brand service outside Java in Medan, Makassar and Denpasar. The company expects the expansion of its CDMA-based network coverage to the capital cities of North Sumatra, South Sulawesi and Bali will contribute up to one million of four million new subscribers it is aiming to sign up this year, the company's head of corporate affairs, Merza Fachys, said at the opening of the company's new office in Medan on Saturday. [more, thejakartapost]

Huawei leads in CDMA technology equipment

... Due to the deployment of CDMA2000 in Indonesia at the beginning of the new millennium, Huawei has begun opening offices in the country. Huawei's Indonesia operation -- PT Huawei Tech Investment -- was established in Jakarta on Jan. 27, 2004, and currently has over 400 employees, of whom 80 percent are local. [more, thejakartapost]

Indosat to launch new satellite in 2009

Publicly listed telecommunications firm PT Indonesian Satellite Corporation Tbk (Indosat) is set to launch its second satellite in the third quarter of 2009 to replace its first one, which will be switched off in 2011. [more, thejakartapost]

Telkom bows to govt demand on dividends

... Telkom, which recorded Rp 11 trillion (US$1.21 billion) in net profit last year, will pay out a total dividend of Rp 6.05 trillion, or Rp 303.2 per share. This includes an interim dividend of Rp 970 billion, or Rp 48.45 per share, which was paid to shareholders in December. The final dividend of Rp 5.08 trillion, or Rp 254.75 per share, will be paid early in August. [more, thejakartapost]