Jakarta, February 16, 2020 - Infrastructure development is one of the five main aspects that the government is focusing on for the next five years. This is an important step to strengthen Indonesia's position in facing the challenges of global changes.

Responding to the challenges ahead, as a state-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (Telkom) is well aware of the importance of infrastructure development for the development of society and the Indonesian economy. Therefore, Telkom has aggressively built telecommunications infrastructure from Sabang to Merauke to remote areas that have direct access to foreign countries, to ensure connectivity and access to information are equally dispersed to all levels of society so that the Indonesian digital societycan compete globally. 

In order to make digitalization a reality and to provide the best digital experience for customers, Telkom has modernized its telecommunications networks using 100% fiber optic based technology in cities and districts throughout Indonesia, with a concept known as Modern Broadband City. The network modernization to optical fiber has become an important foundation in making digital services, be it digital platforms or, available and accessible through fixed broadband and cellular high-speed 3G/4G networks. This is also a part of TelkomGroup’s preparation for launching the 5G services.

The availability of quality and reliable digital infrastructure is expected to enable the local, regional and national economic potential to develop and to support the development of Indonesia's digital economy. To date, there are 215 Modern Broadband City and 8 Modern Province that Telkom has developed. 

Telkom Network & IT Solution Director Zulhelfi Abidin said that this network modernization program shows Telkom's commitment to improve the quality of ICT services for the community and to accelerate the realization of Indonesia's digitalization. "In the current digital era, the 100% fiber optic infrastructure is expected to meet the needs of the community for quality broadband services, so that people can enjoy much better digital services," he said.

Provincial, city and regency officials appreciated Telkom's commitment to modernize the network. South Kalimantan Governor, H. Sahbirin Noor, appreciated the fact that the whole Kalimantan island is now connected with 100% fiber optics. The availability of fiber optic connectivity is expected to support the economic development and improvement of people’s welfare in the Kalimantan region.

Similarly, Mataram Mayor Ahyar Abduh also appreciated the installation of Modern Broadband City which makes Mataram is now on the same par with other big cities.

Walikota Denpasar Ida Bagus Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra menambahkan kehadiran konektivitas fiber optic Modern Broadband City dapat mendukung peningkatan perekonomian dan kesejahteraan masyarakat sejalan dengan visi dan misi Kota Denpasar. “Infrastruktur ICT berbasis fiber optic yang disediakan Telkom ini diharapkan juga dapat membantu Pemkot untuk meningkatkan layanan kepada masyarakat, meningkatkan kualitas Indeks Pembangunan Manusia di Kota Denpasar serta mendukung Kota Denpasar menjadi Smart City terbaik,” ujar Ida Bagus Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra.

Denpasar Mayor Ida Bagus Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra added that the availability of Modern Broadband City's fiber optic connectivity can support economic development and improvement of people’s welfare and it is in line with the city’s vision and mission. "Fiber optic-based ICT infrastructure that Telkom provides is expected to support the city administration in improving its public services, Denpasar’s Human Development Index quality, and the city to become the best Smart City," Ida Bagus Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra said.

Having this network modernization can also support the implementation of integrated ICT in the provincial, city and regency administrations, so that they could have more effective and efficient public services, as well as stimulate ICT service users’s growth, especially high-speed internet in order to encourage development of digital-based local economy including micro, small, and mediun enterprises. 

Moreover, this network modernization is expected toprovide the best digital experience for TelkomGroup customers and the general public. "IndiHome's Triple Play service will be at its peak after the fiber optic networks installation," he said. Telkom currently offers IndiHome services with speeds of up to 1 Gbps.

Zulhelfi further said that the network modernization will continue until all cities in Indonesia are transformed into a Broadband City. Telkom is committed to continue developing Indonesia's digital society and supporting for the national digital economy to progress by laying in place the infrastructure and equally-dispersed connectivity not only in urban areas, but also in frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged regions.

Deputy Mayor of Denpasar I Gusti Ngurah Jaya Negara (left) gave souvenirs to Telkom Network & IT Solution Director Zulhelfi Abidin (center) witnessed by Telkom Consumer Service Director Siti Choiriana (right) after the recent launch of Denpasar Modern Broadband City. Telkom hopes that with the availability of digital infrastructure, Denpasar can develop its digital economic potential and support the development of Indonesia's digital economy.

South Kalimantan Governor H. Sahbirin Noor (on stage, second from left) along with Military Regional Chief 101 Antasari Col. Inf. M. Syech Ismed SE, M.HAM (on stage, far left), Telkom Consumer Service Director Siti Choiriana (on stage, middle), Telkom Regional VI Executive Vice President for Kalimantan Area Rijanto Utomo (on stage, far right) and Deputy Executive Vice President Infrastructure Telkom Regional VI of the Kalimantan, Ambari (on stage, second from right) when seeing off the healthy walk participants at the Borneo Digital Island event in Banjarmasin recently.