4 April 2022, Batam. PT XL Axiata Tbk (XL Axiata) is expanding its 4G network in the Riau Islands Province, which includes Batam and Bintan. XL Axiata is working to strengthen this data network as part of its commitment to assisting the government in the development of Travel Bubble Batam Bintan. XL Axiata's 4G network has already touched at least 121 villages and 24 sub-districts in the two areas near to the neighboring countries of Singapore and Malaysia.
Group Head of XL Axaita West Region, Desy Sari Dewi, said, "XL Axiata continues to strengthen the 4G network in the Riau Islands in an effort to boost tourism and the regional economy, as well as increase people's digital literacy. The presence of a solid network and data services will also help this region close the digitalization gap with other developed regions. Moreover, Singapore and Malaysia are directly near to Batam and Bintan. We absolutely expect the local community to be more advanced, and a strong data network will help the tourism business recover."
Desy also stated that data traffic has increased by 11% in the Riau Archipelago Province during the last two years. This shows that local residents make optimal use of the 4G network for a variety of purposes, including productive, social, and recreational activities. As a result, XL Axiata will continue to expand its 4G BTS network in the Riau Islands and nearby islands. A total of roughly 30 BTS will be added in 2021.
XL Axiata plans to build another 25 BTS stations in Batam and Bintan in 2022. The XL Axiata network has reached various tourist destinations in Riau Islands, including Nongsa Batam and Lagoi Bintan, allowing consumers to surf the virtual world and post their best images while they are there. In terms of customer numbers, Batam and Bintan have around 303 thousand customers, out of a total of around 400 thousand customers in the Riau Archipelago.
"We are sure that now the pandemic is under control and tourist areas are reopening, data traffic will swiftly increase. Batam has also been selected as a high-priority destination. As a super priority destination, we have also planned supporting infrastructure, including fiberization of the network in the Riau Islands Province. In the Riau Islands Province, comprising Batam and Bintan, 4G network fiberization is also underway," Desy continued.
XL Axiata's 4G Network Reachs Rural Areas
XL Axiata provides 4G services in 132 villages in the 3T region (frontier, outermost, underdeveloped) in Sumatra. The collaboration between XL Axiata and the Information and Telecommunications Accessibility Agency (BAKTI) of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics, which was recently signed, reflects this commitment to create a network in the 3T zone. This program includes 35 villages located in 15 sub-districts and 4 districts in the Riau Archipelago.
For Bintan Regency, there are Batu Lepuk Villages, Lower Villages, Kukup, Pengikik Island and Sekuni Bay (Tambelan District). Karimun Regency includes Mie Strait Village (Moro District). Then in the Anambas Islands Regency, there are Keramut, Hedgehog, Mampok, Sunggak Villages (Jemaja District), Genting Plur and Ulu Maras (East Jemaja District), Bayat and Ladan (Palmatak District), Mengkait Island and Telaga Kecil Island (South Siantan District), Munjan Island and Nyamuk Island (East Siantan District).
Meanwhile, in Natuna Regency, the villages include Semedang (West Bunguran District), Ceruk, Kelanga, Pengadah and Selemam (Northeast Bunguran District), Kelarik, West Kelarik and Teluk Buton (North Bunguran District), Air Putih (Mdai District), Teluk Labuh ( Pulau Tiga Sub-district), Serasan (Serasan District), Air Nusa, Arung Ayam and Payak (East Serasan District), Meliah, Kerdau Island and Panjang Island (Subi District).
All of the networks created as part of this program will be 4G and will utilise both vsat and terrestrial connectivity. BAKTI will be in charge of all technical aspects of radio and transport network infrastructure development up to the point of connectivity with operators. For operations, XL Axiata will wait until the infrastructure development is complete, so that it can be integrated with the core network, billing and XL Axiata customer service system.
Special promo for XL Axiata products in Riau Islands
Currently, there are product promos that can be used by customers and the public in Riau Islands to gain access to data services on the 4G network, such as the Xtra Combo Flex Package, which is available at a low cost. Customers who purchase this product will receive quotas ranging from 3GB to 55GB.
Head of Sales XL Axiata Kepri – Ridar, Alex Burnama, said, “To ensure that people and customers can easily get XL Axiata products, both XL and AXIS, there are presently roughly 3,000 credit stores that provide XL Axiata products in Riau Islands. These shops are located in sub-districts and villages where XL Axiata services are already available. Through these distribution network stores, customers can also get information and also submit complaints, which the store manager will then forward it to XL Axiata customer service.”