Data and 3G may not be a priority in Asia: discuss. No, we’re not referring to Japan, Korea or Hong Kong. Not even China. This time we’re looking at the area’s so-called emerging markets – markets like Indonesia where the market-leading operator Telkomsel and third-ranked player Excelcom launched 3G services in early September. Or the Philippines, where rival operators Globe and Smartcom have been offering 3G for a slightly longer period. The question is: has anyone noticed?
Workshop: Digital Tools for Strengthening Public Discourse
Today, LIRNEasia hosted a workshop to launch digital tools created by Watchdog Sri Lanka, funded by GIZ’s Strengthening Social Cohesion and Peace in Sri Lanka (SCOPE) programme. Researchers, practitioners, activists and journalists attended to learn about these tools, and how they can potentially help them in their own lines of work.
1 Comment
Divakar Goswami
3G may fare better in Indonesia than other markets because there is pent-up demand for broadband Internet. Other than the incumbent’s ADSl service there is no other broadband access in the country. (CDMA-based data service are far from broadband speeds and nor do they provide reliable connectivity in Indonesia.)
I have tried both Indosat’s and Excelcom’s 3G Internet access through a datacard slotted in my laptop. The speeds were impressive at 300Kbps and the service connected quickly and signal strength remained solid in Jakarta. 3G may be viable service for broadband Internet access with added mobility function for those who can afford Indonesia’s premium prices.