Indonesia gives deadline to BlackBerry
by The PocketBerry Team
The government of Indonesia has decided to set a deadline for Research In Motion to set up local service outlets for BlackBerry by July 16, or else they would ban the importation of new BlackBerry products.
“We took this decision after we found no progress in the last three meetings between the government, including several representatives from the Directorate General of Post and Telecommunications, and RIM in June,” the directorate general spokesman Gatot S. Dewabroto said in a statement on Sunday.
The government insisted that the after-sales service was very much mandatory under the law, and it is very essential to protect BlackBerry users, which could reach one million by the end of 2009.
Gatot said his ministry had issued letter No. 586/DJPT.5/KOMINFO/VII/2009 dated July 1, saying that the government would ban any importation of new BlackBerry products until RIM opens after-sales service network in the country.
“Another consequence of this letter is that we will revoke the license we have granted to BlackBerry importers so that the importers can no longer import the products,” he said.
Gatot, nevertheless, assured existing BlackBerry users that the government would ensure that they would continue to get BlackBerry services. The government in Indonesia feels that they are being dragged along for a long stretch that should not be there. By announcing this alleged “threat,” it may push RIM to start making moves for the country to get the ball rolling already.
Source: AsiaMedia
-by Mac Jadalhack
