Communication Ministry Detects Signal Interference Spots

Jakarta (Antara)- The Informatics and Communications Ministry has detected several signal interference spots for cellular telecommunication due to the application of illegal signal repeater instrument. "There are at least a thousand cellular networks in Jakarta, which had interference from illegal repeater instruments up to October 2013. We also detected interference in the cities of Medan, Makassar, Denpasar and Batam," stated Head of Information and Public Relation Division in the Ministry Gatot Dewa Broto in a press release received here, on Thursday. The Ministry noted that several cellular operator companies, such as PT Telkomsel, PT Telkom, PT Indosat, PT XL-Axiata and PT Smart Teleco, have interference. Gatot added that the frequency that had interference from repeater instruments in Jakarta was generally located at GSM 900MHz (IMT 2000). The Ministry detected signal interference located in several areas of Jakarta such as Mangga Besar Street, Kemang Street, Bangka Street, Swadaya Street, Percetakan Negara Street, Taman Cipinang Street, Matraman Street, Banyuwangi Street, Sumenep Street, Dukuh Street, Blora Street, Cikini Street, Gajah Mada Street, Hayam Wuruk Street, Pantai Indah Kapuk and Kelapa Gading Barat. Gatot further commented that the repeater interference signal was reinforced by some other cellular operator signal that overloaded the network and broke the signal. "The application of illegal repeater without coordination with other cellular operators will lead to interference signals from the base transceiver station around the areas," explained Gatot. He said that the declining quality of the repeater instrument also affected and interfered with other cellular operator signals. Gatot reminded that the application of illegal repeater without a certificate is prohibited and considered as violation of the law. "The application of illegal repeater is forbidden due to the effects on the signal network and will attract penalties," confirmed Gatot. The Ministry, says Gatot, will hold control over the repeater instrument users and will also ask cellular operators to improve signal quality. "The use of illegal repeater by people is also due to bad signal quality from cellular operators in any given area. So, we will ask the operator to improve the signal scope," explained Gatot. (*)