The safety of all employees along with the the company's business sustainability is the priority of PT XL Axiata Tbk (XL Axiata) in the current situation and conditions of the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic. Long before this problem arose, XL Axiata ‘s management had instilled (to employees) an understanding of various threats that could occur at any time, including natural disasters and outbreaks, as the current pandemic we are facing. All employees are required to attend educational programs that contains dozens of materials about the types of disasters and their characteristics, as well as sessions on how to avoid, as well as to save themselves, and ensuring the continuity of the company's business. This education session is then concluded with a exams that test the extent of employees’ understanding, complete with the minimum value of scores that must be achieved.
Over the past two weeks, PT XL Axiata Tbk (XL Axiata) has implemented work from home (WFH) policy, in line with the government's recommendation to work, study and pray/worship at home. This policy is one of the implementation of standard safety protocols that is also recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to stop or halt the spreading of Covid-19. In that light, WFH is applied for the safety of employees and the people around them. Also, the Work From Home Policy (WFH) allows employees to continue carrying out their respective work assignments by utilizing technology facilities provided by the company.
All technology facilities that are currently installed to support the Work from Home process have also been prepared by the company beforehand. Adjusting to the work culture of this digital era, XL Axiata’s management has seen that every employee needs to be able to work mobile. Over the past three years, work facilities at the XL Axiata office have been designed to support mobile working, including working from outside the office, anytime and anywhere. Therefore, this Work From Home policy (WFH) has become a momentum for all employees and management to prove that they are still able to carry out their duties to the full extent.
The current situation is a challenge for every line of business. Likewise, for XL Axiata as XL Axiata is a telecommunications and data/internet service provider, which has over 56 million customers throughout Indonesia. When working and learning from home is widely applied throughout Indonesia, the need for data and internet connection is supported by a Stable Internet Network. Until the first week from March (15th - 22nd) of 2020, data service traffic have increased 15% compared to the average traffic during normal days/circumstances. This is a warning for companies to ensure that network capacity is able to serve the needs of customers that are likely to continue to increase.
Entering April 2020, the government has set an extension of their Covid-19 emergency response and management period over the next two weeks. Many cities have begun to establish independent isolation of their regions. It also means more and more people are in need of internet access. XL Axiata sees the increasing need for internet connections by the public as a momentum to provide services to the fullest. Customer trust must be paid commensurately, moreover they are in dire need of it. Service to customers remains a priority.
Various initiatives have been carried out internally within XL Axiata. These initiatives include how to serve customers without face to face communication procedures, as it was usually done at the XL Center, including conducting service delivery of products to the customers’ residence. Thus, customers do not need to leave the house to get XL Axiata products or services.
These efforts are not a means to exploit business opportunities, but more than that, it is in the spirit of helping customers and the community through existing services. Some initiatives have been implemented, including an educational campaign to the community with the theme #DiRumahLebihBaik, which is also paired with free program offer of 2GB daily quota (internet data) to access a number of applications that can support work and learning activities from home, along with free access to official government resources regarding the handling of COVID-19, and lecture channels from dozens of universities. In addition, there are also free communication facilities for the National Disaster Management Agency or known as Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB). Together with other telecommunications industry players, XL Axiata is also very much committed to support the government through The Ministry of Communications and Informatics (Kementerian Komunikasi dan Informatika) with a number of strategic policies related to the mitigation of Covid-19.
Through various business activities that have been maintained, along with a number of support programs for the government and the community in handling the outbreak of Covid-19, XL Axiata is trying to convince shareholders and other parties that the continuity of the company's business is being well-maintained. All employees and their families are in good condition and currently avoiding Covid-19. Likewise, each business unit continues to run normally, including special services for customers. In fact, management encourages each business unit to generate new ideas, proposals, and solutions to the existing problems, including discussions to further develop new innovative products or services.
Finally, to conclude this message, all the power and efforts that have been implemented now and onwards, XL Axiata's management is fully confident that the company will be able to pass through this challenging condition/situation going forward. Let's take care and protect of our homes. Indonesia, Keep being optimistic!
Dian Siswarini
President Director & CEO PT XL Axiata Tbk