REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TANJUNG PINANG - Two telecommunication network operators of Malaysia, Celcom and Digi, seem familiar to Pegudang village in Riau. The operators' signal often interfere mobile phone's connection in the village and charge the people with roaming tarrif. 

"The signal from Malaysian telecommunication operators have long worked in Pegudang village. We don't like it as it is very expensive," Acok Sudirman, a resident said on Thursday.

Sudirman who also a college student of Maritim Raja Ali Haji University revealed the two Malaysian telecommunication operators not only worked in lands area, but also in waters. That's because Pegudang village bordered to Malaysia, although the village is not included as one of the 19 islands in the Riau Islands which border to Malaysia.

However, signals from Indonesian telecommunication operators such as XL, Telkomsel and Indosat are often so weak there. At that time, the owner of the phone got a brief message from Digi and Celcom and they are charged by roaming's tariff. People often use manual setting and keep use the local telecommunications network.

An observer, Sayed Fauzan said signals from foreign telecommunications networks in Pegudang village annoyed people activities. Foreign telecommunications network working in Pegudang village was an insult to the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.

"This is a serious problem that should be taken seriously," Fauzan said. 

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