With the government of Indonesia calling on the country’s mobile network operators (MNOs) to hasten the migration of mobile services from 3G to 4G, number one operator Telkomsel has pledged to upgrade its network to LTE this year, albeit on a phased and ‘sustainable basis’. In 2022 the MNO aims to deploy 4G gradually in all regions – per the Ministry of Communication and Information (MCI or KemKominfo’s) strategy to begin the shutdown of older 3G technology. Alongside the network upgrade programme, Telkomsel will also invite customers who are currently still using its 3G services to switch to 4G LTE services immediately, it said.
Telkomsel President Hendri Mulya Syam is quoted as saying: ‘We hope that this step will enable us to optimise more potential in various regions through a more accelerated cross-sector digital transformation, so that it can strengthen the national digital economy going forward. Upgrading all 3G services to 4G LTE is also a form of support for the government’s efforts to bring digital connectivity with excellent quality that is evenly distributed throughout the country.’