Indonesian Telecom Provider Blocks Access To Netflix

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s state-owned telecommunications company says it has blocked the Internet video service Netflix in a possible setback to the U.S. company’s expansion in Asia.

PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia said in a statement it blocked Netflix beginning Wednesday because it lacks a permit to operate in Indonesia. The service was still available Thursday via other network operators.

The statement said PT Telekomunikas was also protecting its customers from inappropriate content such as pornography that is illegal in Indonesia.

Netflix started operating in Indonesia earlier this month as part of a broad expansion into overseas markets. It currently has nearly 75 million subscribers, including 30 million outside the U.S.

A Netflix statement said “services delivered over the Internet present all sorts of novel questions for policymakers” but did not confirm it was blocked.