Google Indonesia Announces Telkom As New Partner For Google Station

Google Indonesia introduces Telkom as the newest partner for Google Station, an initiative to provide high-quality free Wi-Fi access in Indonesia.

Managing Director of Google Indonesia Randy Jusuf explained that Telkom's presence is expected to help its ambition to expand the reach of free, fast, and secure internet for more Indonesians.

"Today we are proud to announce Telkom as a new partner to expand the coverage of Google Station to more people. But this access is only the first step, Indonesians want to develop digital skills them," said Randy at the fourth Google for Indonesia, Wednesday (20/11).

Google Station is nothing new at Google. Previously introduced since two years ago, coincided with the same event. It's just that at that time, Google hooked FiberStar and CBN as internet network providers (ISPs).

Hiring Telkom, could be a strategic step for Google to expand the coverage of Google Station in a short time. It's no secret, Telkom is a state-owned company in the telecommunications sector that has the largest internet network and cover throughout Indonesia.

Indonesia is the second country to taste this service, the first time it is present in India. In its development, it expanded to several cities, several big cities in Java, Palembang, Medan, and Bali.

Besides India and Indonesia, Google Station is also present in Thailand, the Philippines, Brazil, Nigeria, South Africa, and Mexico.

According to information on the site, the main element of Google Station is not only providing free internet access, but as a public Wi-Fi network monetization tool that partners install in their stores.

Google Station integrates premium ad inventory into a public Wi-Fi network that allows Google's ad sales team to show ads for top global brands that are relevant to customer interests.

Partners who want to install Google Station are offered brand-based and conversion ads in various digital formats. They are also provided with APIs to display service status, intelligent analysis, and notifications so partners can maintain the network with the software features already in use.

In addition, partners will get insight regarding consumers using the Google Station Wi-Fi network. Such as the duration they are connected, the quality of the connection, and the amount of data used.

Also, reports for each specific location, such as how many unique users are connected to the network and the revenue partners are earning as a result.

Another recent Google innovation

At the same time, Google made a number of new developments from their already released products. This includes programs that essentially want to help Indonesians "go together" and optimize the benefits of an open internet. Here's a summary:

Google Shopping The homepage of Google Shopping now includes a predictive search feature (queryless) to support browsing activities. This page is a destination for users to browse various product categories and find them in thousands of online and offline stores.

For stores that want to market their products here, they only need to create a profile via the Google My Business app and upload their products. This opportunity is provided free of charge.

The choice of language is also enriched, Java will be provided in the next few months.

Google Assistant

Google announced a company partner that is now connected to Google Assistant. They are BCA Gojek, JNE, Grab, Mobile Legends, Joox, Employment BPJS, Kaskus, KlikDokter, Family Partners, and Al Qolam.

With Gojek, users can access GoFood to order food and check the status of the order simply by saying a command such as "Order martabak from Gojek." This command will immediately bring up a list of nearby martabak sellers and track their orders as well.

Next, Google Assistant access is available without a data connection and credit, the result of a collaboration with Indosat Ooredoo. Users only need to access the number 696, toll free and internet connection. This service has been tested by thousands of people in Kediri, Jombang, Medan, Karawang, and Sukabumi.

Finally, users can delete all data activity via voice commands. Just say, "Ok Google, forget what I just told you" or "Ok Google, I want to delete last week's conversation."

Google Search

Google Go can now accommodate translating commands on web pages with one tap and have them read aloud in a variety of languages, including Sundanese and Javanese. This feature was launched because many people prefer to listen or watch content rather than reading.

It also features the Key Moments feature to find key moments in a particular video, providing links to unlock key moments in that video based on the timestamp provided by the content creator.

The Google Lens feature is enriched for the image search method in Google Image Search. Lens can help users search for images in new ways. For example, if you want to find a batik motif, you can explore it further through the image. It can even be helped for e-commerce sites that sell these items.

Google Maps

Inside Google Maps there is a Local Guide, now made like social media. User can click button follow to follow various place recommendations from favorite Local Guides online up to date. The idea actually came from Indonesia and is being tested in several cities around the world, including Jakarta.

Another innovation is finding the nearest restaurant promo, in collaboration with Eatigo. In the future, users can easily make reservations for the restaurants they want to visit.

Not only that, Google is partnering with the Jakarta Government (JakEvo) to make it easier to apply for a business license if you apply for it through JakEvo, your business will be automatically registered and verified on Google My Business.

Google Maps is now also equipped with the "Stay Safer" feature to notify passengers if there is a warning if the driver deviates from the route by more than 0,5 km. Users can also share real-time location with friends and family.

Grow with Google This is Google's latest program globally to create more business opportunities through the internet. Consists of a variety of free tools to access courses, tools, products, and face-to-face training for self-improvement.

In this initiation, there are Gapura Digital, Women Will, Google My Business, Google Premier, Kormo, Bangkit, Google Developer Groups, Developer Student Clubs, Google for Education, and Google News Initiative.

Rise is the latest training program for six months to build reliable HR developers. This program was designed with four Indonesian unicorns to train 300 selected developers with expertise machine learning until summer 2020.