XL Axiata Intensively Commercializes 4,5G Network

XL Axiata is increasingly commercializing its 4,5G network for the public in line with infrastructure investments that have been disbursed to support the network since last year.

"We have actually started commercializing the 4,5G network for the public, but it is only available in 20 o XL Center as initial research. There, customers can experience the speed of this network for themselves," said XL Axiata Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Yessie D Yosetya, Tuesday (13/2).

Yessie explained that there are three infrastructures used by the company for the latest network. Starting from, Advanced Radio Technology which uses 4T4R 4x4 MIMO, 256QAM, carrier aggregation.

Then, Multilayer Mobile Backhaul with Transport upgrades to version 5.0. Also, Network Function Virtualization Core to make it easier for companies to develop the latest capacities and features.

"This technology supports 5G, so when the industry is ready [with 5G] we can immediately support."

This entire infrastructure is said to be able to make battery life last up to 10 years, high speeds between 4-20 Gbps, low latency of less than 1ms, and large-scale active connections up to >2000. It's just that the new 4,5G network can be supported by the device middle high end new release.

According to him, the distribution stage will be carried out in stages starting from big cities with high data needs. Such as Jabodetabek, Bandung, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, West Java, and Bali.

"We have to make sure when investing in the network whether the area's interest in data consumption is high or not no, what's up investment in areas where data consumption is just starting. Once [data consumption] is high, then we will continue to invest there again."

Build up to 12 thousand new BTS

To support 4,5G commercialization, XL Axiata will also add 10 thousand to 12 thousand new BTS to expand 4G LTE service coverage, especially located outside Java. Of the total BTS plans to be built, around 25% of them will be allocated for the 4,5G network.

The budget that will be used by XL Axiata to build BTS comes from a capital expenditure (capex) allocation of around 90% or Rp. 6,3 trillion of the total capex in 2018 of around Rp. 7 trillion.

For your information, the company has reached 360 cities/regencies in Indonesia through the 4G LTE network supported by more than 17 thousand BTS and nearly 46 thousand 3G BTS. In the development of the data network, areas outside Java received great attention with a percentage of 60%.

As for the number of subscribers, XL Axiata has 53,5 million subscribers on a consolidated basis (XL and Axis). It is recorded that 72% of total customers or worth 38,3 million have used smartphone. Meanwhile, the number of customers who actively consume data services reaches 73%.