I

have been trying to inform Telkomsel to stop sending me text messages about their various plans, promotionals, business partners or even their reminders to subscribers to pay their bills.

Customer care made it seem that it was difficult or technologically unviable to time the transmission of such messages. I could only begrudgingly accept such reasoning but felt helpless not knowing what to do next and they would not let me meet anyone higher to take this complaint to them.

The messages kept on coming with no respect for any sensible timing.

The straw that broke the camel'€™s back was on the night of the World Cup match between Germany and Brazil. Sensing the excitement of the match at the semifinal stage I decided to watch despite its unearthly timing.

Setting the alarm I had hit the sack earlier than usual to get up on time for the match. And lo! At 12:43 a.m. the SMS alert had to go off spoiling the tranquility of my sleep for the rest of the night. And the '€œurgent'€ message was none other than a routine reminder of a kartuHalo payment that was due later in the month!

Can'€™t they hold off the dispatch of such reminders, and for that matter any messages, until day time? Is it so difficult for the operations and technical big wigs to realize when to send and when not to send?

After deliberately spoiling my sleep, I do not know what I would have done to Telkomsel if Brazil had won over Germany!

On a serious note: I hope Telkomsel will wise up and become more sensitive in their plans and operations.

Mathew Ninan
Jakarta