Indonesia’s XL Axiata plans to extend its 45,000km fibre-optic backbone network by a further 2,500km, the firm’s technology director Yessie D Yosetya is quoted by IndoTelko as saying, noting that the expansion is designed to strengthen its overall network systems. ‘This year we will enhance our backbone with 2,500km of optical cable. In addition, we will also have 10,000 base transceiver stations (BTS) linked to fibre for backhaul. The upgrades are all designed to strengthen data network services to customers,’ the official said at a recent media gathering.
Further, the executive confirmed that XL’s business strategy for 2019 includes strengthening and extending its 4G LTE mobile internet network – particularly outside Java. As such, the majority of BTS being commissioned this year, which does also include 3G base stations, will target areas in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Currently, XL Axiata’s data network covers more than 400 cities/regencies across Indonesia, but Yessie notes that it is also intent on delivering services to more remote areas in Western and Eastern Indonesia. In the West, XL Axiata has begun construction of a network in the Anambas Islands, while during the course of this year it will commence a network expansion in Eastern Indonesia, serving East Nusa Tenggara, North Maluku, Maluku and Papua.
Upon completion of the latest works, Yessie says the XL Axiata mobile data network will blanket 440 cities/regencies and more than 95% of the population. The construction of this network infrastructure is supported by inter-island fibre-optic cables, he said.