Indonesian mobile network operator (MNO) XL Axiata has confirmed that its 4G LTE network now serves around 400 cities/regencies across the archipelago, including tourist areas such as Banyuwangi where it has blanketed around 300,000 mobile data users supported by more than 185 4G and 315 3G base transceiver stations (BTS). Taken overall, the XL network comprises more than 118,000 BTS – of which over 81,000 are 3G and 4G capable – spread in various regions in Indonesia as well as fibre-optic networks spanning over 45,000km.
Commenting on the Banyuwangi deployment and an ongoing expansion drive in 2019, Yessie D Yosetya, XL Axiata Technology Director, said: ‘During 2017 XL Axiata’s data service traffic in Banyuwangi increased by 92%. We believe that the growth of data traffic in this area will continue to be high in the future given the continued development of the regional economy, with tourism as one of its main pillars.’ Yessie revealed that in fiscal 2019 XL Axiata has budgeted a capital expenditure of IDR7.5 trillion (USD531.3 million), of which 80% will be used to build data networks, including outside Java.