The Indonesian government has given Research in Motion (RIM) until July 16 to open up after-sales service outlets in the country, or it will ban the importation of BlackBerrys.
The Information and Communications Ministry will revoke the licenses of existing BlackBerry importers and freeze the certification of new certification if RIM fails to comply, the Jakarta Postsaid. Existing BlackBerry owners will not be affected by the ban.
After-sales servicing is a mandatory requirement under Indonesian law, and the move is necessary to protect Indonesian BlackBerry users - expected to reach 1 million by the end of the year - a government spokesperson said.
Talks between the ministry and RIM had reportedly stalled in the last three meetings on the issue. RIM has thus far only agreed to investigate the prospect of a local service business, as BlackBerry penetration is still at an early stage.
The company is also reportedly concerned about illegal imports, believing that up to 80% of Indonesian BlackBerry sales come from the gray market.