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BATAM, September 16, 2025 –  PT XLSMART Telecom Sejahtera Tbk (XLSMART) continues to broaden its service coverage across Sumatra, including the Riau Islands (Kepri). The initiative aims to reach more customers while enhancing access to innovative digital services. With rapid growth in the technology sector, XLSMART is committed to providing solutions that encourage local economic development and improve the quality of life in the region. Over the last two years, XLSMART has added 35 new BTS and upgraded around 100 BTS in Riau Islands Province.

Group Head XLSMART West Region, Desy Sari Dewi, stated, "The availability of internet services is an actual expression of XLSMART's commitment to supporting governments in bringing data services and the digital economy to frontier areas. Strong networks and data services in remote areas will reduce the digital gap with urban areas, allowing local communities to access a variety of digital services, particularly in order to remain productive and competitive. This allows for growth acceleration based on local needs. Strong data and internet services in Kepri are also valuable for national resilience and sovereignty, considering its proximity to Singapore and Malaysia."

Desy added that XLSMART's 4G network currently covers around 395 villages/sub-districts, 46 districts, and 7 regencies across the Riau Islands. XLSMART will continue expanding and enhance its network, particularly on the surrounding islands. Furthermore, XLSMART offers affordable internet services, ensuring that all residents can use the internet for productive and positive purposes.

The highest internet usage traffic in Kepri and its surrounding islands comes from Batam City, Bintan Regency, Karimun Regency, and Tanjung Pinang City. These three areas are also the most populated urban areas in the province. The total number of customers in Kepri has reached approximately 587,000.

Following the merger, XLSMART concentrated on considerably expanding network coverage and service distribution throughout the Riau Islands. XLSMART also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining and developing its three key brands XL, AXIS, and Smartfren to further assist various market segments. Customers in the region can benefit from a relevant and competitive product segmentation strategy, which includes customisable service packages with large quotas, affordable prices, access to popular digital platforms, and additional digital service bonuses.

In Sumatra, including the Riau Islands, XLSMART has an established customer base of over 15 million users. To accommodate this demand, XLSMART has expanded its network to over 46,000 BTS, the majority of which are 4G BTS, allowing for fast and stable internet access. XLSMART remains committed to investing in infrastructure development, including fiber networks, transmission, and backhaul, as well as modernising and upgrading its networks. All of these efforts are aimed at improving network stability, capacity, and data service quality in response to the expected growth in customer traffic.

XLSMART Cared for People with Disabilities

In today's digital era, access to information technology is important, particularly for those with disabilities. As a leading telecommunications provider, XLSMART is committed to expanding service coverage in Batam, Riau Islands. Through the "XLSMART Cares for Empowered Disabilities" program, the company strives to provide greater support to people with disabilities, ensuring they have equal access to information and communication.

XLSMART organised online training and workshops titled XLSMART Cares for Empowered Disabilities via Zoom, with a focus on digital literacy and entrepreneurship. The event was virtually attended by around 130 participants with disabilities from Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Papua, Bali, and NTB.

Speakers included Dr. Dani M. Akhyar, S.T., M.Si, Head of Corporate Communication & CSR XLSMART, who delivered a session on “Introduction to Digital Literacy.” Dr. Wendra Afriana discussed “Entrepreneurial Mindset in the 4.0 Era for People with Disabilities (Empowerment, Creativity, and Technology Adaptation).” At last, Riawani Elyta presented “Basic Introduction to AI Tools for Social Media Content Marketing (Opening New Opportunities for All).”

Dani M. Akhyar's presentation addressed four key elements of digital literacy competence, digital skills, digital ethics, digital culture, and digital safety. He also emphasised eight principles of online ethics, including being cautious when sharing personal information, maintaining respectful interactions, avoiding suspicious accounts, ensuring posts do not contain discriminatory elements, using social media for networking, citing content sources, avoiding unverified content, and leveraging social media for personal development.

This training is intended to strengthen the digital skills of people with disabilities. Participants were encouraged to embrace a strong entrepreneurial mindset and learnt how to utilise AI technology to create marketing content for their MSMEs on social media platforms. They will not only enhance their communication abilities, but they will also have access to more economic and social opportunities. This is an important move towards social inclusion and empowering independence.

The event was organised in collaboration with Daarut Tauhid Peduli (DT Peduli) and the Indonesian Association of Persons with Disabilities (PPDI), with support from digital literacy facilitators from the Bloggercrony Community Indonesia (BCC). Together, Moving Forward Without Limits.

Through this initiative, XLSMART not only seeks to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities, but also to raise public awareness about the importance of inclusion. With collaboration and support from multiple stakeholders, a more inclusive and supportive environment for all can be achieved.

Providing Free Internet Access to Schools in Lingga Island

XLSMART provided internet data donations and supporting devices to five educational institutions on Lingga Island, Riau Islands. This program is part of XLSMART's Data Donation Movement (Gerakan Donasi Kuota / GDK), which aims to enhance education and information access for island communities that often lack reliable internet connections. This initiative is expected to improve students' and communities' access to online learning resources and other important information.

Dedy Prasetyawan, XLSMART Territory Sales for Batam, officially handed over the donations to representatives of beneficiary institutions on Lingga Island on Thursday (11/9). During the event, Dedy expressed hope that the donated internet packages can enhance education and information access on Lingga Island. XLSMART is committed to continuous support for activities that support local development and community welfare.

The five recipient institutions include:

1. Pondok Pesantren Tahfizh Baitul Qur’an, Jl. Merak II, Kamp. Telek, Tanjung Harapan Village
2. SLB Negeri Lingga, Jl. Navigasi, Kamp. Telek, Tanjung Harapan Village, Singkep District
3. Do’a Ibu Orphanage, Jl. Tiram RT 005 RW 004, Dabo Singkep, Lingga Regency
4. SMA Negeri 2 Singkep, Jl. Kartini Setajam, Dabo Sub-district, Singkep District
5. SMK Mahardika Singkep, Jl. Navigasi, Tanjung Harapan Village, Singkep District, Lingga Regency

The internet quota donation program, known as Gerakan Donasi Kuota (GDK), allows XL and AXIS customers to contribute part of their internet quota through the myXL and AXISNet apps. Donated quotas are then allocated to various Indonesian educational institutions, giving them 12 months of free internet access.