Results for Indonesia in LIRNEasia’s Telecom Regulatory Environment survey show an interesting trend. Unlike their counterparts in other countries (Bangladesh, India, Maldives Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand) Indonesia telecom experts have given marks so low for different aspects of their regulatory environment that none of the categories, in any three sectors, meet the average of 3. (The options were from 1 to 5, 1=extremely unsatisfied, 5=excellent service) The one comes nearest is the score for Market Entry in the mobile sector (there are nine players in the market – eight national, one regional) but that too miss the average by 0.05 points.
The results do not show a change from the previous (2006) scores. The score for the fixed sector remains same as it was in 2006, while the score for the mobile sector has dropped from one decimal point. So whatever the reason, it is a continuing trend.
We guess our readers are curious. Not that we have all the answers, but some of your doubts will be solved in the Colloquium scheduled for tomorrow (Sept 25) at 10.00 hours Sri Lanka/India time. (0430 hrs GMT) Alternatively, you can tell us why. We are interested to listen.
There will be an online Skype session. If you want to join please let us know asap to wattegema[at]lirne[dot]net. Presentation slides (draft version) too will be shared with anyone interested.

2 Comments
DG
There must have been some thinking behind adding QoS to the TRE. Would someone care to explain? Does QoS typically come within the ambit of NRAs?
Rohan Samarajiva
Yes. We responded to a specific suggestion by TRAI.
Beyond the Hype: Responsible AI and Data Protection in South and Southeast Asia
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) become increasingly embedded in everyday systems, concerns around data protection, privacy, and accountability are gaining urgency. A new 2024 report, ‘Beyond the Hype: Realising Responsible AI through Data Protection in South and Southeast Asia,’ examines how existing data protection laws in the region respond to the risks emerging from AI adoption.
Rebuilding telecom infrastructure after disaster: Resilience or building back better?
In an article published on 31 December 2025 in the Daily FT, LIRNEasia Chair Professor Rohan Samarajiva highlights how the Ditwah disaster exposed major vulnerabilities in telecom networks. He emphasizes that numerous telecom sites across the country were affected, leaving many districts without mobile or data services for days, which restricted access and delayed restoration efforts.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance is a concern Sri Lanka must address now
LIRNEasia Data, Algorithms, and Policy (DAP) Team Lead and Research Manager Merl Chandana was featured in ‘The Morning’ newspaper on 28 December 2025, in an article by Nelie Munasinghe, where he underscored the urgency of moving from AI policy discussions to real-world implementation. “The perception that Sri Lanka has not yet widely adopted AI is inaccurate.
Links
User Login
Themes
Social
Twitter
Facebook
RSS Feed
Contact
9A 1/1, Balcombe Place
Colombo 08
Sri Lanka
+94 (0)11 267 1160
+94 (0)11 267 5212
info [at] lirneasia [dot] net
Copyright © 2026 LIRNEasia
a regional ICT policy and regulation think tank active across the Asia Pacific