Indosat, part of the Ooredoo Group, has announced the launch of a new UMTS 900MHz network that will provide a faster and modernised internet experience for Indonesians.
With the launch, Indosat will become the first telecommunication operator to commercially operate a UMTS 900MHz network in Indonesia, after an initial trial in West Sumatra during September 2012. It marks another major significant network evolution delivered by one of Ooredoo’s companies, which are conducting major modernisation programmes in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.
The UMTS 900MHz network, named the ‘IM3 Super Internet Service’, will offer packaged mobile broadband services with stronger signals, both outdoor and indoor, as well as wider network coverage and faster Internet access
Indosat’s modernisation programme will initially launch in Bali, which was chosen as the first area to implement the service because of the island’s popularity as a world tourism destination, and the high demand for a reliable communication and data services.
Speaking at the launch, Indosat President Director & CEO, Alexander Rusli, said: “We are very excited to be the first telecommunication operator in Indonesia to deliver faster access to quality data services using the UMTS 900MHz network. Supported by the latest technology, these services will provide Indosat’s customers in Bali with the very best user experience. We are committed to the Network Modernisation Programme that we have pledged to roll out across the country, and we will continue to look for ways to upgrade the user experience we offer across Indonesia.”
The Internet has become an important part of Indonesian life in recent years, becoming instrumental to the country’s economic and social development as well as ensuring connectivity with the rest of the world. Of the country’s 248 million population in 2012, 55 million people - or 22% percent of the total population – were Internet users, 18% of whom regularly used major social media networks.*
Following the successful trials of the 900MHz UMTS in Padang, Bukittinggi and West Sumatera in 2012, Indosat’s Network Modernisation Programme will continue installing the IM3 Super Internet Service across Indonesia, including Jabotabek (Greater Jakarta) and other major cities in Java.
Indosat’s launch of the 900MHz UMTS network in Bali aligns with the company’s selection as the sole provider of telecommunication facilities for the forthcoming 2013 APEC event, the benefits of which will be enjoyed by Indosat’s customers and visitors to the island.
”The UMTS 900MHz network implementation is part of our vision to be the market leader in data services, which are increasingly important to the Indonesian people due to the economic and social opportunities that they present. In providing faster internet access to the Indonesian people we believe this programme will fully support the government as it works to achieve its pre-stated goals to accelerate the development of broadband in Indonesia and improve the nation's future economic development,” Alexander Rusli concluded.
Ooredoo is working to deliver the most relevant technologies to meet the needs of its customers as it looks to provide the best customer experience and stay ahead of rising demand for mobile Broadband services across the developing world. The company already provides 4G LTE services in Qatar, Oman and Kuwait, and is adding additional network resources for 2G and 3G customers across its international footprint.
*Source: Daily Info Graphic, 2012.
About Ooredoo
Ooredoo is a leading international communications company delivering mobile, fixed, broadband internet and corporate managed services tailored to the needs of consumers and businesses across markets in the Middle East, North Africa and South-East Asia. As a community-focused company, Ooredoo is guided by its vision of enriching people’s lives and its belief that it can stimulate human growth by leveraging communications to help people achieve their full potential. Ooredoo has a presence in markets such as Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Palestine, the Maldives and Indonesia. The company reported revenues of $9.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2012 and had a consolidated global customer base of more than 92.9 million people as of 31 December 2012. Ooredoo’s shares are listed on the Qatar Exchange and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.
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