Banda Aceh, October 2nd 2023. PT XL Axiata Tbk (XL Axiata) continues to expand and strengthen the quality of its 4G network throughout Aceh Province. As many as 3,980 rural/urban villages in 188 districts are now served by XL Axiata's network, including those on remote islands in the province located at the westernmost part of the Republic of Indonesia. The total BTS supporting XL Axiata services throughout Aceh is around 2,300 BTS, the majority of which are 4G BTS.
Group Head of XL Axiata West Region, Desy Sari Dewi, said, "XL Axiata's data and telecommunications network strengthening efforts are in line with the continued increase in traffic in almost all of Aceh. In the last year, data traffic has increased by around 15% in Aceh, and the number of subscribers has reached almost 1 million. Therefore, to maintain service quality, we must continue to improve network quality, including expanding service areas."
Desy added that network quality improvements include hygiene clearance site, expansion of capacity transport and radio, addition of new sites, addition of backbone lines and optimisation.
According to Desy, Aceh's current population of around 5.4 million (2022) and spread over a very large area is a challenge for XL Axiata. Not to mention geographically, most of Aceh consists of mountains that extend from the western tip to the border with North Sumatra.
A number of regencies are located in these remote mountainous areas, namely Central Aceh, Bener Meriah and Southeast Aceh. XL Axiata has continued to improve infrastructure in these three mountainous districts in the last two years, adding no less than 10 4G BTS, as needed. Meanwhile, in other cities/districts, such as East Aceh Regency, Nagan Raya Regency, Banda Aceh City, Aceh Besar, in the last two years, XL Axiata has added more than 150 BTS.
Especially in the area along the West Coast of Aceh, which is also quite remote, ranging from Great Aceh to South Aceh, XL Axiata has also added more than 80 4G BTS in the last two years. More than 1,700 rural/urban villages and 81 districts in 9 regencies have been served by XL Axiata's 4G service in the area facing the Indian Ocean.
Network strengthening is also carried out on neighbouring islands in Aceh Province. In addition to Weh Island, network strengthening is also carried out on Simeulue Island to Banyak Island. On both islands located in the Indian Ocean, there are a total of 24 4G BTS, serving customers in 37 villages.
"XL Axiata also continues to strive and is committed to fulfilling the telecommunications needs of the people of Aceh, especially those on Weh Island, Sabang. Currently on Weh Island, there are 16 4G BTS, covering 15 villages in 2 districts. In the last two years, data traffic on Weh Island has increased by 10%. For this reason, XL Axiata has added 3 4G BTS and optimised network coverage and quality. Moreover, Sabang is one of Aceh's top tourist destinations," added Desy.
Special promotions for XL Axiata products
With the increasing number of users and traffic of XL Axiata services, network strengthening in Aceh Province will continue throughout the year. This is to improve network quality or add to new areas. Meanwhile, in terms of products, XL Axiata provides data service packages through XL and AXIS cards that are tailored to the needs of various customer segments.
Currently, there are product promos that can be utilised by customers and the people of Aceh to access data services on 4G networks, namely XL and AXIS at very affordable prices. With these products, the community and customers will benefit from data packages ranging from 3GB to 55GB. These data packages can be used to support the productivity of the community, including to support MSMEs, students, private employees and government officials.
To ensure that the public and customers can easily obtain XL Axiata products, both XL and AXIS, there are currently around 2,400 credit shops throughout Aceh, these shops are spread to villages that are already covered by XL Axiata services. Through these distribution network stores, customers can also get information and also submit complaints, which the store manager will then forward to XL Axiata customer service.
Meanwhile, people in Banda Aceh City can come to the XL Center on Mr. Dr. Mohd. Hasan Street, Batoh, Lueng Bata, Landom, Banda Aceh City. XL Axiata will continue to make it easier for the public and customers to obtain products and complaint services.
Overall, the ease and convenience of accessing XL Axiata data services is currently supported by a network that is spread across all regions in Indonesia. Some networks have penetrated and served communities in remote areas and at the country's borders.
To date, XL Axiata's 4G network has served 58 million customers in Indonesia, with service coverage in more than 61 thousand rural/urban villages, 5,700 districts and 469 regencies in 38 provinces. More than 150 thousand BTS with the majority of 4G BTS, as well as a fibre optic backbone network that stretches for more than 159 thousand km, support the data network spread across most of the vast Indonesian archipelago.