Indonesian Operator Files Damages Complaint Against Local Government

­Indonesia's largest phone network, PT Telkomsel has filed a complaint against the Badung administration, accusing its public order officers of vandalizing the company's property. The company said that the damage had disrupted its mobile phone network in several areas.

In a written statement seen by The Jakarta Post, Telkomsel's legal counsel, Hartanto, said: "We have lodged an official police complaint in relation to property damage and service disruption suffered by our client,"

Starting late last year, the local administration officials have torn down several mobile phone towers, citing a law that requires the network operators to host their equipment on towers owned by the administration. The cell phone operators and local tower owners vehemently opposed the bylaw, saying it creates unhealthy business competition and gives preferential treatment to the assigned company.

Hari Purwanto, Telkomsel communication manager for Bali and Nusa Tenggara, said the administration's actions had triggered a series of disruptions to the company's network, leaving customers with unstable or nonexistent communication signals on their cell phones.

On the web: The Jakarta Post

Posted to the site on 26th August 2009