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Indonesia: At Least Forty Operators Interested in Universal Service Project Print E-mail
Wednesday, 03 October 2007

At least 40 operators have expressed interest in the rural telephony tender through the universal service obligation (USO) program. Over twenty of those expressing interest have said they want to bid for all regions to be served by the current round of tenders.

Gatot S. Dewa Broto, a representative of the Directorate General of Post and Telecommunication said that the government was accepting USO pre-qualification registration until October 3. According to Broto, the government would allow one operator to work in several USO regions or possibly in all regions – which would encompass 38,471 villages – as long as they were able to meet the bidding requirements.

Some of the companies that have expressed their interests in working on all USO regions are Telkom, Indosat, Excelcomindo, Bakrie Telecom, and Telkomsel. There is some concern from the House of Representatives that the victory of Telkom would hold back the progress of competition in the telecommunications sector.

Source: Bisnis Indonesia - WDR/Intelecon Regulatory News.