Balikpapan, July 19, 2019. PT XL Axiata Tbk (XL Axiata) continues to build the 4G LTE data network in Kalimantan. This strategic step needs to be done considering the demand of the people of Kalimantan for data services from XL Axiata which continues to increase. This can be seen from the increasing data traffic from year to year, as in the past year it increased by around 43%. This year, the network expansion plan will include areas in West Kalimantan and North Kalimantan. In addition, as part of the plan, XL Axiata will also build a 4G network through the Universal Service Obligation (USO) program which is focused on remote areas that have not been reached by telecommunications networks.
XL Axiata Jabodetabek Region Group Head, Bambang Parikesit said, "In addition to business aspects, our vision in expanding the data network to various regions of Kalimantan is to support the acceleration of development. We want to contribute to the efforts of the regional government to advance their territory. Quality data network infrastructure, including the availability of fast internet connections, will enable the implementation of digitalization in various fields which ultimately supports the acceleration of development in Kalimantan. "
Bambang Parikesit added that in 2019 XL Axiata will continue the policy of building a data network to reach remote areas in Kalimantan. With this expansion, XL Axiata's quality data network has reached around 54 cities / regencies or more than 96% of the population of the Kalimantan Islands supported by more than 7,000 BTS including more than 5,400 data base stations (3G / 4G). The construction of this network infrastructure is also supported by inter-regional fiber optic cables. Currently the XL Axiata data network is available in 9 cities / regencies in East Kalimantan, with a total support of more than 2000 BTS. Especially for the 4G LTE network, it has entered 7 cities / districts, with more than 650 BTS. Cities / regencies that have been served by the XL Axiata Data Network include East Kalimantan including Balikpapan, Samarinda, Bontang, Berau, East Kutai, West Kutai, Kutai Kartanegara, Paser and Penajam Paser Utara. North Kalimantan includes Tarakan, Bulungan, Malinau, and Nunukan.
West Kalimantan is in Pontianak, Singkawang, Bengkayang, Ketapang Kubu Raya, Landak, Mempawah, Sambas, Sanggau, Sekadau, and Sintang. Central Kalimantan: South Barito, Barito Timur, Barito Utara, Gunung Mas, Kapuas, Katingan, Palangkaraya City, Kotawaringin Barat, Kotawaringin Timur, Lamandau, Murung Raya, Pulang Pisau, Seruyan, and Mukamara, South Kalimantan: Balangan, Banjar, Barito Kuala , Hulu Sungai Selatan, Hulu Sungai Tengan, Hulu Sungai Utara, Kota Banjarbaru, Kota Banjarmasin, Kotabaru, Tabalong, Tanah Bumbu, Tanah Laut, and Tapin.
For fiber optic backbone networks, in Kalimantan up to now it has reached around 2500 kilometers. This network is the foundation for XL Axiata's infrastructure network that reaches all provinces in Kalimantan, and connects it to the islands of Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok and Sulawesi. Until the end of 2019 XL Axiata is targeting an additional fiber optic network in Kalimantan of around 1400 kilometers. This is done so that data service users in Kalimantan can be more comfortable enjoying a stable and quality data network
In addition, XL Axiata also continues to pay attention to basic telecommunications needs for remote communities. This has been proven by starting to build USO networks in several regions in Indonesia since 2018. As a result, there is now an increase in traffic for XL Axiata service users in areas that have been reached by the USO network. XL Axiata's USO network has been operating in West Kalimantan, with a total of 23 BTS BTS in Ketapang 6 BTS, Bengkayang 4 BTS, Porcupine 2 BTS, North Kayong 1 BTS, Sambas 2 BTS and in Sanggau 8 BTS, while in South Kalimantan Province a total of 7 BTS are in Tabalong
The number of customers in Kalimantan until the end of June 2019, there were around 1.7 million customers, with more than 75% being active data customers. This number increased by around 14% from the same period last year. The number of data customers in Kalimantan is predicted to continue to increase along with the expansion of XL Axiata's 4G LTE network, coupled with the increasing public awareness in urban and rural areas to utilize data services to support their daily activities.
Until the first quarter of 2019 the number of XL Axiata customers reached around 55.1 million customers, with the number of data customers reaching around 86% of total customers. Supporting network infrastructure networks in the form of more than 122 thousand BTS, including more than 85 thousand data base stations (3G & 4G), which are spread in various regions in Indonesia, as well as fiber optic networks over more than 45 thousand km. Currently the coverage of XL Axiata 4G data services has also been serving