3GWeek - Asia’s Mobile News

Indonesia’s fixed wireless access operator PT Bakrie Telecom Tbk (BTEL) will soon launch 1xEV-DO-based 3G services, BTEL’s president director Anindya Novyan Bakrie told 3GWeek recently.

In near future, BTEL will implement a trial of 1xEV-DO in selected areas in the capital city Jakarta.

A direct evolution of the CDMA2000 third-generation (3G) wireless standards, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO enables high-speed wireless connectivity comparable to wired broadband.

CDMA2000 1xEV-DO (evolution, data-optimized) is leading the convergence of wireless and personal electronics, spawning a new generation of multi-purpose wireless devices.
1xEV-DO enables individuals to send and receive email with large file attachments, play real-time interactive games, receive and send high-resolution pictures and video, download video and music content or stay wirelessly connected to their office PCs – all from the same mobile device.

BTEL has been one of the pioneers in Indonesia ’s telecommunication industry. It has certainly been the leader in providing affordable fixed wireless services to customers, particularly those in the underserviced areas.

Having adopted the more spectrum efficient CDMA technology, BTEL is now poised to become a nationwide operator with its Esia brand. “Our business goal-rapid growth through provision of low-cost services to the masses-has dictated our choice of the CDMA2000 1x technology,” Anindya said.

The reasons, among others, are the CDMA2000 1x technology uses a better compression technique, data packet and more efficient signaling method. These features lead to lower network operating cost and more efficient spectrum use, all of which help keep our OPEX down.

Second, the technology requires a smaller number of BTSes, which translates into lower infrastructure CAPEX. Future migration to EV-DO (3G Plus) will require incremental CAPEX as opposed to the migration from GSM to WCDMA, which will require full changeover with a ‘write-off’ of existing infrastructure. “In short, the upgrade from CDMA2000 1x to its 3G high speed wireless services will be the cheapest and the fastest.”

Third, the CDMA vs. GSM handset price differentials have already narrowed and it is widely expected that by the time the company starts nationwide operations the handsets will be at comparable price levels.

Recently, BTEL recorded a bright perfomance in the first quarter of the year, with costumers rising 55 persent to 757,000 from 487,000 at the end of the year.

In view of the trend and following its plan to start operations in 15 other towns in the second quarter of the year, the company is optimistic that it will reach the target of 1,3 million costumers by the end of this year.

BTEL,which currently operates only in Jakarta, Tangerang, Bekasi and Bandung, plans to expand its service to 15 towns and regencies in West Java and Banten.

A subsidiary of the diversified Bakrie Brothers, BTEL has entered the nationwide telecom industry by continuously creating “disruptive innovations” its “Talk Time” public awareness program, for example, has changed the way subscribers view their monthly bills, repositioned the pulsa frame of mind as more expensive and convinced the public that Esia offers the best value for money.

“We exist not only to serve the telecom users by introducing innovative disruptions but, more importantly, to help redefine the industry to ensure that telecommunication will bring the maximum benefits to the people of Indonesia,” Anindya said. [3G!]