Indonesia: Bans New BlackBerry Imports

Indonesia’s telecommunication authorities are temporarily banning the import of new BlackBerry phone devices this week. The main issue at hand is the delayed opening of a phone service center in the island nation.

Indonesia’s telecommunication authorities are temporarily stopping the import of new BlackBerry models from July 16 until the manufacturing company, Research In Motion (RIM), sets up a local after-sales service center for the thousands of Indonesians who use the mobile phone device.

Indonesia’s Department of Communication and Information Technology says the Canadian device maker has not met a July 1 deadline to set up its wholly-owned center, which would be similar to another center in neighboring Singapore.

[Gatt Dewa Broto, Dept. of Comm. & Information Technology]:
“First, we are still allowing the import of existing models that we have certified. Second, we have asked the company to provide after-sales services similar to the Singapore center so that we don’t need to send to Singapore if a unit is faulty. Third, we are banning imports, we are not certifying new products until they open a local center.”

Indonesia has limited Internet presence and the BlackBerry wireless device is popular as it allows users to access the Internet, conduct online chats, write e-mails and other cyberspace activities.

The number of BlackBerry users has grown from 100,000 at the start of 2009 to about 400,000 by the end of June.

The government warned RIM to set up the after-sales center by July 16, but when RIM met with them on Tuesday (July 14), they said they need more time.

[Gatt Dewa Broto, Dept. of Comm. & Information Technology]:
„The company [RIM] promised us they will open their local office on August 21.“

Several Indonesian telecommunication companies provide the BlackBerry wireless service, including after-sales service for the devices. Among them is the dominant telecoms company Indosat, which has been aggressive in marketing the wireless service.

[Guntur Siboro, Chief of Marketing, Indosat]:
„As to the cooperation between RIM and Indosat, we are the provider of the BlackBerry service and we are now handling the after-sales service. The problem is that the government insists RIM must have an after-sales service in Indonesia. So it’s a problem between RIM and the government.“

The government’s move is supported by BlackBerry users.

[Adam, BlackBerry User]:
„I hope they will make it easier for us to get the device repaired if there is a fault. We will be happy to have an after-sales service here in Indonesia.“

Despite some 35 percent of the population of 230 million living below the poverty line, the world’s fourth most populous nation is a huge market for telecommunication devices, with many people changing their cellular phones annually.

Many shops sell the BlackBerry devices and accessories along with popular phone models by Nokia and Samsung.

(NTDTV)