Google will not become an Operator in Indonesia

Rudiantara (dok)

JAKARTA (IndoTelko) - The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Kemenkominfo) assured that will not issue a license for Google to be a network providers although technical test for Project Loon has been approved with Telkomsel, Indosat, and XL.

The licensing issue arises due to the Loon Projects' Internet balloon Technical Test is using the 900 MHz frequency. If Google's status is unclear, many parties would consider a frequency sharing takes place where it is not allowed in Indonesia.

However, Minister of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) Rudiantara has denied the issue.

"We were only giving permission to do a Technical Test, not licensing. Google was willing to air the balloon across Indonesia, it is up to us to capture the opportunity or not. As simple as that," said Rudiantara.

According to Rudiantara, the Loon Project has a strategic value for Indonesia that is entering the technological development era.

"If there are any unfit regulations for Project Loon, then we will adjust it later. Because after conducting a technical test with Google, the government will examine whether similar projects and technologies can be developed in the country," Rudiantara said.

Rudiantara have asked a number of Indonesian engineers to conduct similar technology.

"The concept is to use the wi-fi. Later on the regulatory side we would build the Infrastructure sharing that accommodates active sharing. They can cooperate with the existing operator because I do not want any additional operators," Rudiantara said.

Not Yet licensed

Separately, Member of the Indonesian Telecommunication Regulatory Agency (BRTI) I Prihadi Krishna said that the operator has yet submitted permission to Project Loon technical test to the regulator.

"Google has informed for Technical Test. But operators are obliged to inform and ask permission to the regulator, according to the Telecommunications Regulation," Prihadi said.

Prihadi said that technology feasibility, area used and flight safety would be a consideration once the technical test proposal is submitted to the regulator.

"Whether the internet balloon is more efficient is up to the operators, we are only dealing with the regulatory side," Prihadi said.

Earlier, three Indonesian providers have agreed with Google to conduct a technical test for the internet balloons as internet access provision in remote areas.

The deal triggered a controversy as many regulations are considered potentially 'rammed' in favor of a technology that has not been proven. (es)