Indonesia-based telecom company Indosat Ooredoo plans to invest about 140 million USD to expand its nationwide 4G network coverage from 81% to 90% of the country’s 264 million population by the end of the year.

A technician carries out maintenance work at one of Indosat Ooredoo's base transceiver stations (BTS) in Jakarta. (Source: Jakarta Post)

The company would add 18,000 base transceiver stations (BTS), mostly in areas outside of Java, to support the expansion plan, said the firm’s chief operating officer Vikram Sinha.

The firm’s priority is to grow and accelerate 4G services and Indosat would develop 5G network only when the 5G frequency is ready in Indonesia, according to CEO Ahmad Abdulaziz Al-Neama.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Communications and Information Ministry has stated that it plans to hold a 5G frequency auction in 2022.

The 5G communication technology is expected to provide a seamless internet experience and reduced device communication latency to users.

Indosat Ooredoo operates 22,015 4G BTS in 422 cities. The company served 53.3 million subscribers during the first quarter of 2019, a year-on-year decline of 44.6% due to government regulations on mobile phone number registration.

The company is 65% owned by Ooredoo Asia headquartered in Singapore, which is part of Ooredoo QSC, a Qatari international telecommunications company that operates in 10 countries across the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia.

(Source: VNA)