Indonesian telcos plan to expand LTE service through MORAN system
Indonesian telecom operators Indosat Ooredoo and XL Axiata announced the launch of a LTE network cooperation agreement using a multi-operator radio access network.
Both operators are currently operating a LTE network in several cities including Banyumas, Surakarta, Batam and Banjarmasin, and plan to extend the cooperation to other cities across Indonesia.
“We are glad with our collaboration with XL Axiata. This allows us to widen our 4G-LTE network to our customers and support government’s effort to build digital economy for Indonesia. Through this initiative we are not only supporting the government’s effort to reduce imports in foreign currencies but also allow us to be more efficient, reduce import of equipment and focus our investments in the country,” explained Alexander Rusli, president, director and CEO of Indosat Ooredoo.
“The collaboration between XL Axiata and Indosat Ooredoo will also be part of the attempt to increase the company competitiveness, in terms of operational efficiency through network sharing as well as brings advantage to our customers where at the end will speed up the digital economy implementation in Indonesia,” added XL Axiata President and CEO Dian Siswarini. “For the early stages, we start the 4G LTE network cooperation through MORAN in several key cities and moving forward this may be expanded further that will mutually benefit both parties.”
Both operators said they are committed to explore possibilities to extend the agreement to cover core network sharing in the future.
Indosat Ooredoo initially launched commercial LTE services in July 2015. The telco currently offers LTE through spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum bands.
XL Axiata launched LTE services in December 2014. The telco is also offering the services through the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands.