In countries where 3G has been successful, such as Japan and South Korea, video calling service is not overly popular. Most subscribers use this service for music downloading and Internet access. In addition, what’s more important is that the Japanese government, for example, fully supports 3G technology and imposes an upfront fee on the use of the 3G spectrum, while South Korea, which also imposes an upfront fee, offers incentives and assistance in the development of the broadband wireless network.
It is true that to operators providing 3G services in Indonesia, video calling — the rate of which is the same as that of ordinary phone conversations during this one-year popularization period — is merely a gimmick to lure subscribers to use other services. They are now beginning to sell a data package of high-speed Internet modem.
In addition, a number of operators have also begun to seriously set up communities of mobile Internet users. They have begun to popularize what is called Web 2.0 or Mobile 2.0, which enables subscribers to do mobile blogging, video sharing and avail of other content-sharing applications. Unfortunately, those most intensively involved in this campaign are mostly cell phone vendors, not operators.
Nokia, for example, has forged a strategic cooperation deal with three broadband wireless Internet providers, namely PT Telkom, PT Indosat Mega Media (IM2) and PT Cyberindo Aditama (CBN), while one content aggregator, PT Mobile Lifestyle Indonesia (MLI), is offering free Wi-Fi services. This cooperation will allow all users of Nokia N series handsets, which have a Wi-Fi feature, to access high-speed Internet free of charge at 1,000 hot spots owned by these three operators in more than 20 cities in Indonesia.
However, to access free Internet services, N series users must first register through cooldesak.com, built by MLI. According to the general manager of Nokia Indonesia, Hasan Aula, cell phones have become an inseparable part of modern life. A cell phone is not simply a device for making a phone call as it now has many other functions.
Once the cell phone started enjoying its heyday as a device for talking and sending SMSes, more functions started to be included in the cell phone following increased capability to use various technologies, including making cell phones compatible with 3G technology, or even with 3.5 G, 4G or WiMAX technology.
What’s obvious is that GSM operators are hedging their bets with 3G service. This is not only because they have invested a lot of money in establishing this service but also because this service is a stepping stone for the operators to eventually enter the data service arena. (Burhan Abe)
The Jakarta Post, October 30, 2007
