Jakarta, 11 August 2022. PT XL Axiata Tbk (XL Axiata) continues to improve the quality of the data network in order to balance the increase in traffic from year to year. To ensure quality network needs are met in 2022, XL Axiata has set a focus on network development, namely increasing capacity, efficiency, and optimization in order to provide a better customer experience than before. A number of initiatives have been implemented since the beginning of this year to realize this goal.
Director & Chief Technology Officer of XL Axiata, I Gede Darmayusa said, "The initiatives and efforts made in terms of increasing network capacity, efficiency, and network optimization include radio, transport, and core, including fiberization and implementation of new technologies. In addition, the 3G to 4G technology rearrangements to increase the download speed of the XL Axiata network. Various initiatives and efforts to improve the quality of the network that have been carried out can support the needs of the digital lifestyle of the Indonesian people to continue to improve. A reliable digital experience is one of the main needs, such as internet access speed, indoor signal quality, up to connection when playing games or accessing entertainment content.”
Gede added that the recent OpenSignal* survey results as of the First Semester of 2022, which placed XL Axiata as the best operator in the categories of "Download Speed Experience" and "Video viewing and streaming experience (Video Experience)" are evidence of XL Axiata's hard work in implementing various initiatives and improving network quality this year. The results of the survey conducted regularly also show that the steps taken by XL Axiata to provide a better experience to subscribers have been effective.
*). Source: Opensignal Awards — Indonesia: Mobile Network Experience report July 2022, based on independent analysis of mobile measurements recorded during the period Feb 01 — May 01 2022. © 2022 Opensignal Inc.
According to the results of the OpenSignal survey, XL Axiata has the fastest average download speed, which is 18.7 Mbps, 15.2% to 108.1% faster than the speed that other operators can provide. Meanwhile, in the Video viewing and streaming experience category, XL Axiata won an assessment score of 44.8 points. With the rapid growth of access to streaming video, the quality of the user experience is a very important aspect. The quality of the video streaming access experience is measured by technical parameters, including image quality, video loading time, delay rate, and so on.
In the focus of the development of XL Axiata network in 2022, a number of initiatives have been carried out since the beginning of 2022, covering several aspects. First, improving customer experience, by implementing intelligence and automation to improve network capabilities. This includes automation of network configuration, optimization, self-diagnostic, and network recovery.
In addition, XL Axiata has also implemented automated optimization for VoLTE services, as well as value-based planning tools that involve several strategic business aspects in network planning. With the application of intelligence and automation, XL Axiata can improve network quality and efficiency faster, where intelligence and automation is applied to the planning process to network operation.
The second aspect is to provide a digital service experience that is more in line with the needs of the community, such as providing integrated services for mobile consumers and the home, as well as providing network capacity according to the needs of each area. Then, the third aspect that is no less important is providing a more reliable service experience, where for this aspect XL Axiata targets 100% network availability by adding 4G BTS that reaches cities in Indonesia.
4G network expansion and 3G network structuring
To increase the availability of 4G network, XL Axiata's efforts include expanding the coverage of the 4G network to reach more populations in cities/regencies throughout the country by adding 4G LTE900 BTS. In addition, the adoption of the latest technological innovations, such as LTE for backhaul and solarcell technologies, which allows the expansion of the 4G network and maximum distribution of broadband to remote areas.
To date, XL Axiata has expanded its 4G network to 463 cities, supported by around 88 thousand 4G VoLTE BTS. Around 46% of XL Axiata's BTS has been fiberized with nearly 130 thousand kilometres of fiber cable spanning all over Indonesia. By 2022, XL Axiata targets an additional 12,000 LTE900 BTS in 343 cities.
XL Axiata continues to expand its reach to the outermost areas to support the government in efforts to equalize the digital economy. In collaboration with BAKTI, XL Axiata provides 4G broadband telecommunication services for 132 villages in Sumatra with categories for the forefront, outermost, and underdeveloped (3T) areas. Meanwhile, for non-3T areas, XL Axiata, in coordination with KOMINFO, has provided 4G broadband services to 285 of 861 villages spread across Sumatra, Java, Bali, West and East Nusa Tenggara, Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Construction in all non-3T areas that are XL Axiata's obligations is targeted to be completed by the end of 2022.
XL Axiata has also restructured its 3G (sunset) technology to improve network quality and broadband services. This is also to support government policies related to spectrum efficiency for data networks. As of the end of the first semester of 2022, 3G services have been discontinued in 343 cities/regencies and 15% of LTE capacity has been added.
Along with the 3G sunset activity, XL Axiata has also activated VoLTE services. This VoLTE service traffic has grown by around 60% throughout 2021. This fairly rapid growth in usage also indicates the increasing customer convenience with VoLTE services, which is supported by, among other things, the increasing network quality.
5G network implementation
XL Axiata has presented a limited 5G network in a number of cities to introduce the public and subscribers to the latest telecommunications technology. To date, 18 5G experience points have been available in 13 main cities in Indonesia. In addition, 5G trials and implementations have been carried out at the Mandalika MotoGP, the Jakarta Formula E electric car race, as well as a 3.5 GHz 5G coexistence trial with Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) initiated by KOMINFO, XL Axiata, BRI, and Telkom University. In the near future, XL Axiata will also deploy the 5G network at the G20 event.
To date, XL Axiata's network is spread across 34 provinces. Some of the networks have penetrated and served people in remote areas and are located on national borders. A total of more than 149 thousand BTS, including 88 thousand 4G BTS, and a fiber optic network of more than 130 thousand kilometres, supporting the strength of XL Axiata's network, to serve around 57 million subscribers in various regions in Indonesia.