JAKARTA, Indonesia-Following the uncertain plans of the regional GSM 1800 MHz license holders, Indonesia’s government has demanded this week they must decide whether to merge, or their licenses will be terminated.
So far, only Natrindo, which employs Ericsson equipment, has delivered services, with operations beginning in March 2001. The other six operators, PT Inti, PT Astratel, PT Aria West, PT Mitra Perdana, PT Primarindo Sistel and PT Kodel Margahayu, have no exact plans for when they will begin to install infrastructure.
The deferment is caused by lack of support from strategic partners. The operators are still searching for strategic partners to strengthen both their financial and technical aspects.
Djamhari Sirat, director general of Post and Telecommunication, said most fledgling GSM 1800 MHz operators have agreed to merge into Natrindo. For Natrindo, this action would give it a nationwide license to compete with the existing four GSM 1800 MHz operators: Telkomsel, Satelindo, Excelcomindo and IM3.
