Jakarta, June 22nd, 2020. PT XL Axiata Tbk (XL Axiata) continues with its' network fiber project despite current Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia. By applying and implementing standardized health protocol accordingly while physical work proceeds in various regions. Around 53% of BTS from the expected target for 2020 has been connected to fiber networks by the mid year.
Act Chief Technology Officer XL Axiata, I Gede Darmayusa states, “Fiberization is one of the company's main programs to improve the quality of data networks, as part of the company's preparations toward the implementation of 5G in the near future. Therefore, this project must continue to run, because the results of the fiber can also directly improve network quality, following customer needs. We will be applying health protocols to all field workers in advance.”
Until now, network fiberization has been carried out in all provincial capitals and large cities, especially in cities or areas where data growth requires fiber network upgrades. The network in a total of 200 cities and regencies has been fiberized, including large cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Semarang, Medan, Bandung, Palembang, Makassar, to Balikpapan by this mid-2020.
In addition to large cities, fiberization has also been completed in other cities such as Denpasar, Manado, Cirebon, Bekasi, Banjarmasin, and Malang. In fact, it has also reached smaller regions, namely, Deli Serdang, Aceh Besar, Lebak, Berau, Indramayu, Kendal, Jembrana, and Lombok Timur.
XL Axiata’s national goal by the end of 2020 is to connect 60-70% of its' BTS with fiber connection. For now, fiberization has reached 53% of the total goal for 2020, with most of it covering the Java region. Also, these fiberization projects are being carried out in densely populated areas to support daily activities for the era of the new normal.
“Upgrading fibers has become a necessity to deliver the needs of mobile data, according to our goals, as it’s grown during this pandemic. Mainly, our customers’ needs have increased due to the impact of Covid-19, making them more mobile and connected to the internet in carrying out productive activities.” I Gede Darmayusa added to his statement.
So far, the ongoing fiberization has proven to improve the quality of the 4G network service. XL Axiata’s fiber network is believed to be able to meet the needs of the community for excellent service in this new normal period, where there is a significant migration of data service utilization patterns in the community. Furthermore, fiberization is the gateway to 5G internet service, which ultimately needs better quality.
Technically, fiberization is an effort to connect the Base Transceiver Station (BTS) through fiber optic networking, which includes regenerating the BTS tools and settings, such as replacing devices that have been using microwaves into fiber devices. This program is one of the main steps in preparation for 5G network.
As today's sophisticated networking tech, 5G offers lightning speed (full-speed) internet connection, allowing more user capacity, and minimum delays or latencies. Its' use is also expected to encourage various economic sectors in Indonesia to move or grow faster. This technological advantage can only be obtained if the site or BTS is connected to fiber optics.