Indonesia is in the process of expanding and modernizing their phone network services. Telekomunikasi Indonesia also known as PT Telecom is the 51% government owned company that is spending billions to improve communications throughout Indonesia. PT Telecom provides the landline phone service in Indonesia, which includes local and domestic long-distance services, as well as mobile services. PT Telecom also offers cable, paid television and satellite broadcasting.
The other companies that provide phone service in Indonesia are PT Excelcomindo Pratama, which has backing from Verizon Wireless, SingTel and Etisalat. The major companies PT Telecom and PT Excelcomindo control over 50% of the landline and mobile phone market, which includes more than 45 million mobile phone users.
The mobile phone costs in Indonesia are low. A one minute call to a landline cost 6¢ a minute, and call to another mobile phone is 9¢ a minute. SMS messaging is only 3¢ a minute within Indonesia and 5¢ a minute to other countries. Incoming calls and SMS messages are free. The international country code for Indonesia is 62 followed by 22 for Bandung, 361 for Bali, 21 for Jakarta, 61 for Medan and 31 for Surabaya.
Other companies that offer phone services in Indonesia include Wartel, Warpostael and Warparpostel. These companies are found in towns and cities around Indonesia and are set up on a pay-as-you-use system or they sell pre-paid phone cards that can be inserted into public phones which are usually used by travelers and tourist.
Another service that is used throughout Indonesia is BB Phone, which is a broadband Internet connection, which operates through a computer. The same technology is used by other companies around the world. BB Phone offers consumers free calling and special rates when calling certain areas within Indonesia. Most calls are based on a flat monthly rate. BB Phone is easy to install and works with a DSL modem and a standard phone plugged into a KTI BB Phone Adapter.
Indonesia mobile phone services are limited in terms of companies and rate plans. The fact that Indonesia is a collection of islands and a mainland is a challenge when it comes to communication infrastructure. The financial crisis in 1998 forced private investors like AT&T wireless services and Notherlands’ KPN to abandon the Indonesian market, which slowed down the communication industry. The 2006 earthquake and tsunami had a major effect on phone network growth, in terms of timing and availability. Even with those setbacks the phone networks of Indonesia are expanding quickly and additional services are being adding to keep up with the economic growth of the country.