"We predict there will be a significant surge in telecommunication traffic during this year`s Idul Fitri holiday season. People will send at least two billion text messages during the holidays," the ministry`s spokesman Gatot Dewa Broto said here on Saturday.
He also predicted people would make phone calls lasting a total of 2.5 billion minutes and 250 terabyte of data services during the holiday season.
Gatot called on people to use telecommunication services efficiently. "If the phone or internet line is busy or full, please wait for a moment and then try again," he said.
He also suggested people not to send text messages containing Happy Idul Fitri to all of their contacts simultaneously. He said the queue in the SMS Gateway was expected to be very high given the current mobile phone users and FWA that had reached over 200 million numbers.
Gatot also suggested people to use internet services efficiently to avoid problem in data traffic. "Customer can deliver report or complaint to our contact center at the number 159," he said adding that the government and telecommunication providers were ready to anticipate the rising of phone call and internet use during Idul Fitri holiday.
Earlier President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on all government agencies concerned to give the best possible service to Idul Fitri home-bound travelers this year.
"I know we have done many things, especially related ministers who are in charge of this matter. However, a week before Idul Fitri, we must make sure that our preparations are adequate and we can give the public the best possible services," the president said at a cabinet meeting to discuss the government`s preparations for the Idul Fitri exodus season 2011.
The head of sate also instructed cooperation and coordination among all ministries and other government institutions in serving home-bound travelers for the sake of their smooth and safe journeys.
"My hope is that we can give support and establish cooperation," the president said.
(T.H016/Uu.A051/HAJM/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
