JAKARTA (IndoTelko) - The agreement story of three major Indonesian operators with Google to conduct technical tests for Project Loon's internet access using balloon still leaves several controversies.
One of the main question is why do Google prefer to cooperate with Telkomsel, Indosat, and XL and leaving the Association of Internet Service Providers (APJII) out of it. In fact, Google and the association was involved in a discussion on Project Loon prior with the operators.
"Indeed, we asked Google about Project Loon in the middle of this year. They said it was for the access and asked our (Internet Service Provider/ISP) frequencies," said the association's head of Organizational and Members Handoyo Tahir, in his remarks during a discussion on Internet Sovereignty Local Content vs. Foreign Content, recently.
Handoyo said to Google that the ISPs used is at the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (unlicensed frequency) which is used for Wi-Fi.
"They needed the 700 MHz or 900 MHz. There are no discussion afterwards, but suddenly they have agreed with the operators" Handoyo said.
Handoyo said that Google's High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) technology is similar to In Building Solution (IBS) technology, but Google passport is needed t activate it.
"Later, all the user profiling would be known to Google. Revenue potential there in the era of Big Data," he said.
Based on a number of reports it does look if users are connected to Google Node B, there is traffic when authentication to a Google server besides to the Operator's Home Location Register (HLR).
If the Google Passport is needed to activate the Internet access from the balloon, this will allow the Internet giant for customer profiling. Google's is hacking way to make the customers more disciplined in providing the data, which shown by the data update policy for Android users.
In the battle of the digital era, audience management is a major requirement to be able to win a fight of the advertising pie.
Internet players have a more complete customer data rather than the operator. Operators only have valid data in the form of Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN), providers can obtain the application email addresses, credit card, besides the customers id.
Not yet determined
On a separate occasion, Telkomsel's LTE Commercial VP Lindayanti Harjono revealed that she is not sure which areas and what technology will be used to test Google's internet balloon.
"The determination of the test points that will be entered into the Loon Project is can not be ascertained yet because currently it is still in the joint discussion phase. Most likely in the Eastern parts of Indonesia's remote areas," she said.
As known, Google's balloon for Project Loons will fly across Indonesian region throughout the year 2016. This technical trial is expected by Google will continue in the next few years so that it can serve 100 million users in Indonesia.
Telkomsel has given signals of not to provide more portion to Google besides as a technology provider instead of the operator.
Because Google is serious enough to build telecommunications infrastructure such as international submarine cable and investments in satellites.(es)