Mataram, 10 November 2021. PT XL Axiata Tbk (XL Axiata) ensures that the 4G network in Lombok is in prime condition and ready to welcome the 2021 World Superbike (WSBK) at the Mandalika Circuit, West Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, 19-21 November 2021. There are at least 9 4G BTS available that have been prepared to cover the entire Mandalika, including the circuit and the tourism areas around it, in which there are dozens of large and small hotels, restaurants, and various other tourism supports. XL Axiata also alerted one BTS mobile unit to anticipate traffic spikes during the world racing event takes place.
Director & Chief Technology Officer of XL Axiata, I Gede Darmayusa, said, “The Mandalika Circuit and these two world racing events have been long awaited by the Indonesian public. The government also pays great attention. This celebration is also used as a momentum for the restoration of the tourism world in Lombok and Indonesia. Naturally, XL Axiata as the operator with the largest number of subscribers in Lombok also provides full support, by providing an adequate 4G network. As part of the Lombok community, we are also happy with the presence of a world event on this spectacular circuit.”
Gede added, the potential for traffic spikes in the Mandalika area is very likely to occur when the two world racing events, WSBK and MotoGP, take place. Even though the audience inside the circuit may still be limited, it is very likely that local people and from outside Lombok will still come to Mandalika. This big event will also be able to attract foreign tourists to come. Moreover, as a super priority tourist destination, Mandalika also has a number of interesting tourism areas, which are also tourism attractions. As more people come to the area, the need for a quality data network will also certainly increase.
Improvement of 4G network quality is not only limited to Mandalika. XL Axiata is also expanding its 4G network to all corners of Lombok, both for the improvement of the quality of data and voice services in urban areas, as well as expansion to the areas that were previously unreachable. Currently, 54 districts and 5 regencies/cities in Lombok are now served by XL Axiata's 4G service. In total there are more than 4 thousand BTS throughout Lombok, with 1,700 of them 4G BTS. The number of 4G BTS will continue to increase considering that currently XL Axiata is also still expanding in all districts in Lombok. Especially for BTSs that reach the Mandalika circuit area, XL Axiata will apply the latest technology, namely Massive MIMO. With this technology in the future, it can provide better data services because it can increase data capacity.
“The existence of a 4G network in Mandalika and all villages/urban-villages in Lombok is also an implementation of XL Axiata's commitment to help increase digital literacy for people who live in remote rural areas. The availability of a quality internet network and increasing digital literacy will boost productivity and help people adapt to various means of the digital economy,” said Gede.
In addition to the expansion and addition of BTS, XL Axiata also continues to increase its 4G network capacity both in terms of radio and transmission, as well as through fiberization. Now most of the BTS in Lombok have been “fiberized” and will continue to increase. Meanwhile, since the beginning of 2021 until now the capacity of around 575 BTS have been increased. During the past year in the shadow of a pandemic, XL Axiata data traffic in Lombok continued to increase by around 39%, with the highest traffic increase in East Lombok Regency and Lombok Regency.
In some of the most popular tourist areas in Lombok, XL Axiata also specifically ensures the quality of the data network. XL Axiata has prepared 5 4G BTS in Sembalun, 1 BTS in Mount Rinjani and Segara Anak Lake areas, 1 4G BTS at Pink Beach East Lombok, 7 4G BTS in Gili Trawangan, 1 4G BTS in Sade Village, 11 4G BTS in Senggigi, and 3 4G BTS in Narmada. Meanwhile, to support the needs of Mataram as the largest and busiest city, XL Axiata operates 146 BTS, while at Lombok Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport it has been operated 3 4G BTS and Lembar Port for 2 4G BTS.
All 19 popular tourist villages as tourist destinations have also been served by XL Axiata's 4G network, including Selong Belanak Village, Kopang Rembiga Village, Bilibante Village, Aik Dareq Village, Kembang Kuning Village, Sembalun Village, and Pringgasela Village. Then Seruni Mumbul Village, Sembalun Bumbung Village, Paremas Village, Sugian Village, Mamben Baru Village, Senaru Village, Malaka Village, Jenggala Village, Pemenang Barat Village, Sesaot Village, Sekotong Tengah Village and Sedau Village. With the available capacity and infrastructure, XL Axiata is optimistic that it will be able to provide maximum telecommunication and data services in these tourist areas.
Currently, the XL Axiata network for the NTB area is supported by more than 5,700 BTS, including more than 2,200 4G BTS. XL Axiata's 4G LTE network also continues to expand, and XL Axiata continues to invest in fiber networks, transmission, backhaul, network modernization, and various other network upgrades to improve stability, network capacity, and service quality in line with the continued increase in data service traffic.