California, 28 Oct , 2015 - Indosat, a member of Ooredoo Group, today signed an agreement with Google to test Project Loon in Indonesia, supporting the Indonesian government’s efforts to provide last mile digital connectivity in remote and rural areas across the country.
The agreement was signed at Google’s headquarters in Silicon Valley and was witnessed by H.E. Mr. R.A. Rudiantara, Minister of Information and Communication, H.E. Mr. Thomas T. Lembong, Minister of Trade, H.E. Mr. F. Sibarani, Chairman of Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board, H.E. Mr. Triawan Munaf, Chairman of Indonesian Agency for Creative Economy.
Project Loon is a google initiative designed to be an extension of telecommunications company’s digital networks. The initiative will use high-altitude balloons to fill network gaps and bring Internet coverage to rural and underserved areas. This strategic partnership also supports the Indonesia Broadband Plan 2014 – 2019.
"We are pleased to support the government’s efforts to provide digital and internet connectivity through this agreement. We believe that everybody in Indonesia has the right to access digital connectivity and continue to work to provide digital connectivity to people in rural and remote areas. This initiative will complement our recent efforts to modernize our network and serve those people who face challenges in accessing connectivity," said Alexander Rusli, President Director and CEO Indosat, Tbk.
Michael Cassidy, VP Project Loon commented: "We’re pleased to be working with Indosat towards testing Project Loon Internet balloons in Indonesia. There are many Indonesians who don’t have access to the educational, cultural, and economic opportunities of the Internet, and together we hope to bring the full Internet to many millions of people in Indonesia."
Despite high number of users of social media in the country, around 2/3 of Indonesia's population currently is excluded from accessing digital connectivity and the life opportunity this digital economy can offer. Indosat aspires to transform the nation through digital connectivity by giving more access of digital connectivity to people across Indonesia. The company not only provides access to telecommunications and digital service but also open opportunity for youngsters to become creators of digital economy, as engines of Indonesia's social and economic growth in the future.
Indosat hopes that the company can continue to help Indonesia’s people to leap and grow faster, to enrich their live in every way, and to embrace the underserved in this journey, Alexander Rusli added.
About Indosat
Indosat, a member of ooredoo group, is a leading telecommunication and digital operator in Indonesia that provides cellular services, fixed line, data communications and internet (MIDI). As per first semester 2015, the company has 68.5 million mobile subscribers through a variety of brands, among others; IM3, Mentari and Matrix. Indosat is a subsidiary of the Ooredoo Group. Indosat's shares are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX: ISAT).
For more information:
Public Relations Division
PT Indosat Tbk
Telp : 62-21-30442614
Fax : 62-21-30003754
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : www.indosat.com
