Syahrial Ali’s Blog

NSN Press Release:

Three major Indonesian Universities, Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB), Institute of Technology Supuluh Nopember Surabaya (ITS) and University of Indonesia (UI) have entered into a partnership with Nokia Siemens Networks to foster the development of engineering talent for the global telecom industry.

Under its University Cooperation Program, the company will provide financial assistance, training, and hands on experience to students to prepare them for current and future industry needs.

A highlight of the program is the focus on women students under the ‘Women in Technology’ initiative, underscoring Nokia Siemens Networks commitment to promoting diversity both within and outside the work environment. Access to quality education is also an important and integral element of Nokia Siemens Networks corporate social responsibility programme.

Discussing the University program, Adang Suwandi, Dean of Engineering at ITB said,“To ensure that education fosters real opportunities, it is important that what we teach reflects market needs. In addition, students must gain a holistic learning experience, which combines theoretical knowledge, with practical experience. The right kind of involvement of the corporate sector can make a big difference in preparing deserving students for a better future.” (more…)

Huawei has been chosen by AXIS, Indonesia’s newest GSM and 3G operator, as a key partner in rolling out its full service national network. Under the agreement, Huawei will design, build, deploy and manage AXIS’ 2G/3G network within the island of Java, Bali, Lombok, Kalimantan and Sulawesi for a period of three years to 2010. Specifically, Huawei will be responsible for close to 4,000 sites across the country, on GSM and 3G radio access, optical and microwave transmission.

In addition, Huawei will also provide a nationwide core network and intelligent network (IN) system to AXIS. (more…)

“Convergent prepaid/postpaid business models are ranking high on carriers’ wish list. We see more and more carriers evaluating and in the process of launching hybrid billing scenarios,” said Ari Banerjee, Director,Enabling Technologies Service Provider Software Solutions The Yankee Group.”The uniqueness of Leap Billing is its ability to deliver true convergence which embodies the promise of high performance and reduced OPEX.” (more…)

Since last year we have had lot of issues concerning WiMAX in Indonesia. Firstly concerning the licenses. Previously, the licenses will be released last year (2007), then postpone to February this year and up until now there is no news on when the WiMAX licenses will be released.

Several sources said that the delay in licensed release is on purpose to give time to the local industry to prepare everything to be able to compete with international manufacturers. In terms of empowering local industries no one will argue it. However, these industries shall be given a time limit so that they have to be ready on scheduled time. If they fail, regulator shall have an alternate plan.

Secondly, on May this year, an Indonesian WiMAX Chip has been launched. Currently they are on production phase. Thanks to Trio Adiono and team who make us proud as Indonesian.  The successful development shall be supported to be successful in market.

Meanwhile, Telkomsel, a giant GSM/3G Indonesian operator has made trial WiMAX technology in their network. WiMAX is used for backhaul only, to transmit signal from core network to Femto BTS point to multipoint. This is not for commercial purpose, said Yoseph Garo Vice President Technology and Business Incubation. He continued that Telkomsel has chosen LTE as its next technology.

When will WiMAX be implemented in Indonesia? WiMAX is considered to be able to overcome digital divide in Indonesia. WiMAX can be implemented with very low cost compared to current system but with higher capabilities and features. We still have to wait.

Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world. About 85% of Indonesian population (around 230m) are Muslim. And now, the Muslims are in the holy fasting month known as Ramadan.  Ramadan is the month where the Muslims abstain from food, drink, sexual activities and all negative behavior from dawn to sunset.

At the end of Ramadan, most people will forgive each others. Traditionally the will visit their parent, relative, neighbors and friends to keep their good relationship and have a small party. In this telecommunication era, the old fashion way has been changed into new way by means of telecommunication technology. Instead of visiting each others, most people just make a friendly call at the end of Ramadan or sending a short message.

So, the traffic will be very high at the end of Ramadan. Telephone call will increase very high, but the number of short messages will be sky rocket. This is because of short message always result in a reply from the recipient. So, when you send an short message text to your friend saying about your pleasure or happiness after finishing your struggle month, then he or she will usually reply to you saying a similar thing.

As written in Indonesian prepaid subscriber reach 117m, then the number of short message sending will be very very high. People usually send their short message at the last day of Ramadan. Operators’ network is under test, wether they pass the test or not. If they pass, they will collect huge amount of traffic but when they fail, they will be very sorry. End ramadan is the harvest time of each telecommunicaton operator especially mobile operator. So, be ready!

The Directorate General of Post and Telecommunication announced on Sept 7, that the selection of fixed line long distance provider will be performed by the end of 2008. The document has been signed by the minister of information and communication on last August.

There are several changes in this document compare to previous one. One main point is the participant who can participated in this tender is clearly stated, i.e: the operator of fixed line  local network and the operator of wireless local network with limited mobility, both with strong customer based.  With this document, the participants will be: Indosat, Bakrietel and Mobile-8. Telkom which also fits the requirement as we know has already owned the license. Telkom currently is the only provider who serve the fixed line long distance services.

Meanwhile, the selection for the provider of fixed line and fixed long distance network will be performed  by March 31st 200.

With this selection, customer will have many networks to choose in making a local and long distance calls. The competition will be high which result in better quality and good rate. We always support the advancement of Indonesian Telecommunication.