XL Axiata Passed ULO, Ready To Become Third Operator To Hold 5G Network

Kemenkominfo YouTube screenshot

JAKARTA - The cellular operator XL Axiata will soon follow PT Telkomsel and PT Indosat Tbk which have implemented the fifth generation or 5G network in Indonesia.

The operator attached to the blue color was declared to have passed the Operational Feasibility Test (ULO) by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Kemenkominfo), after going through a series of tests and obtaining a Certificate of Operation Eligibility (SKLO). Testing of the 5G network as part of ULO was carried out by XL Axiata in the Depok area, West Java.

"Today we welcome XL Axiata, which has just received an SKLO statement for 5G services on August 6, 2021. After the ULO implementation on August 3-5, a certificate was immediately issued in Depok. Thus, 5G is now supported by three national cellular operators," said the Minister of Communication and Informatics. Johnny G Plate at a press conference held online, Thursday 12, August.

XL Axiata will technically deploy a 5G network through dynamic spectrum sharing or the frequency owned by the company, which is 1.8 GHz in the range of 1807.5 to 1827.5 MHz. This is because XL Axiata does not yet have additional frequencies allocated by the government to deploy 5G.

It is known, since May 2021, commercial 5G telecommunication network services have been present in nine cities or agglomeration areas in Indonesia, namely Jabodetabek, Bandung, Batam, Balikpapan, Makassar, Surakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar and Medan.

Johnny stated that currently 5G commercial services have been supported by three national telecommunication operators. "In the future, we all hope that we must maintain that 5G commercialization can develop well in Indonesia," said Johnny.

According to Johnny, the presence of 5G network services is not only able to support the progress of the telecommunications industry, but can also grow various industrial derivatives. Whether it's the fintech, e-commerce, edutech, health tech, and various other industries, they will be increasingly booming, enlivening Indonesia's digital ecosystem.

Meanwhile, the President Director and CEO of XL Axiata, Dian Siswarini emphasized that XL Axiata is ready to roll out 5G networks in Indonesia and expand the company's service coverage.

"We have made various preparations until the end of July, we submitted ULO to the Ministry of Communication and Information. Thank God the ULO went smoothly and according to schedule in three days from August 3 to 5 in the Depok area. And passed all aspects of testing so that we got SKLO for 5G," said Dian.

The company will also accelerate other necessary ecosystems such as fiberization to the availability of 5G smartphones by collaborating with relevant vendors. Not only for consumers, XL Axiata's 5G network is also intended to support Business to Business (B2B) to enterprise interests.