Indonesia's Trikomsel signs JV with Brightstar
Indonesia's largest mobile phone retailer Trikomsel Oke, and U.S. wireless distributor and service provider Brightstar have formed a joint venture (JV) which will provide supply chain, retail and distribution, and trading services to companies in the telecommunications and mobile device business.
Called Brightstar Trikomsel, the entity will be based in Singapore and scheduled to begin operations in the second quarter of this year, the Jakarta Globe reported Wednesday, citing a statement filed to the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX).
Brightstar Trikomsel will focus on supply chain services for operators, retailers, and OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) of mobile devices, it said.
Brightstar, through its unit Brighstar Logistics, will control 51 percent of the joint venture, while Trikomsel will control the remaining share, according to the statement which did not detail the investment capital.
Sugiono Wiyono Sugialam, president and director of Trikomsel, said in the statement that supply chain optimization, multi-channel and value-added distribution, handset protection, and buyback and tradein offerings have become increasingly important in the Indonesian telecommunications market. "These initiatives will create new lines of businesses which we expect will boost our overall performance and drive further growth for Trikomsel," Sugialam added.
Brightstar CEO Marcelo Claure added: "We see tremendous opportunities to leverage Brightstar's leading wireless services, technologies, and platforms with Trikomsel's deep market knowledge, in-country execution capabilities, and strong customer base."
With about 1,100 outlets in Indonesia, Trikomsel's main business is mobile phones and accessory sales, retail, and distribution of handset starter packages, and top-up vouchers.
Last year, the company acquired a 72 percent stake in handset retailer Global Teleshop to boost its presence in the country where demand for mobile phones, including smartphones, is growing, the report noted.
Brightstar is a wireless service provider that caters mainly to manufacturers, wireless operators, and retailers of mobile devices.