Indonesia blocks Intel WiMAX move

ATTEMPTS TO deploy wireless networks and WiMAX in the Indonesian archipelago are being blocked by government regulations on frequency usage, it has emerged.

And that is holding up communications in areas of the country hit by the tsunami earlier this year, as well as preventing widespread deployment of wireless access points.

Intel recently attempted to import a container full of wireless related peripherals into Indonesia, but it was blocked because of a frequency licensing problem. The government treats wi-fi signals in a similar way to radio or TV stations.

That was underlined by a recent raid on Internet cafes in Jogjakarta which were operating wi-fi access points and need a costly licence for the wireless licence band.

The government has a wide range of fees for 2.4GHz including for transmitter power bases, hubs and stars. Some are trying to minimise the problems by sharing outstations and so the costs of the fees. µ

L'INQS
Detikinet Indonesian: Intel shipment stopped
Detikinet Indonesian: Internet cafes raided