Singkawang, 5 February 2020 – As a realization of Telkomsel’s commitment to support the Indonesian government in advancing tourism across the country, this year Telkomsel returns to give its continued support to this year’s Cap Go Meh Festival in Singkawang, West Kalimantan. This year, Telkomsel has improved and strengthened network quality in the area through the deployment of 4,9G massive mimo BTS in Singkawang, and release an internet package called Gong Xi Fa Chai specifically created for customers in West Kalimantan.

Cap Go Meh Festival is one of important events highlighted in the “Calendar of Events – Wonderful Indonesia 2020” which has been outlined by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Republic of Indonesia. The celebration is held for 15 dayss in Singkawang – West Kalimantan and featuring art performances including Tatung Carnival which is the highlight of the event, Lantern Festival, Pray Ritual, Ritual Buka Mata Replika 12 Naga (Open the Eyes of 12 Dragon Replicas Ritual) and Burning 12 Dragons, and cultural art performances as well as culinary festival offering an array of local cuisines.

Vice President Network Operation and Quality Management Area Pamasuka Telkomsel, Moelky Furqan says, “Our efforts to strengthen and improve broadband network with the latest technology in tourist destinations resonate with Telkomsel’s commitment to actively participate in accelerating tourism industry in Indonesia. The availability of high-quality network in tourist destinations could help to shape a sustainable digital ecosystem to improve tourism industry in each destination. It is crucial for Indonesia as Indonesia holds massive tourism potentials and the number of international tourists arriving in this country continue to increase over the years.”

“Each year, Cap Go Meh Festival has always been attracting both local and international tourists to visit Singkawang. As there are so many people use Telkomsel during the festival, Telkomsel ensures its service quality through 4,9G massive mimo technology in Singkawang, and other supporting initiatives”, Moelky added.

4,9G massive mimo technology by Telkomsel can accommodate more users and a more reliable customer experience to support seamless data streaming services in a busy area like Cap Go Meh Festival. Previously, Telkomsel has successfully implemented the same technology to support international events including the 2018 Asian Games and the 2019 IMF-World Bank Annual summit in Bali.

Telkomsel has also increased the capacity of its 3G and 4G networks at over 100 locations, deployed additional 5 units of Compact Mobile BTS (COMBAT) and 7 units of mini BTS operated within 4G network at Cap Go Meh’s places of interests in Singkawang and Pontianak, as well as traffic lanes between Pontianak and Singkawang. As a result, today, Telkomsel’s broadband services has covered 100% populated areas in Singkawang and Pontianak to ensure customers’s convenient experience in accessing data services and other Telkomsel digital services during Cap Go Meh Festival.

In order to improve customer’s experience in accessing the leading broadband services, Telkomsel releases a Cap Go Meh promo package. This Telkomsel’s special data plan package is called Gong Xi Fa Chai and can be enjoyed especially for customers in West Kalimantan with two options; 2,5GB data plan package is offered at IDR 10,000 and valid for 5 days whilst 3,5GB data plan package is offered at IDR 17,000 and valid for 7 days.

Telkomsel’s Supports for Five Super-Priority Tourism Locations in Indonesia

In supporting Indonesia’s tourism, Telkomsel has also enabled broadband networks in 5 super-priority tourist destinations in the country including Lake Toba, Likupang, Borobudur Temple, Mandalika, and Labuan Bajo. Telkomsel has increased the number of 4G BTS to 330 4G BTSs across those five locations.

At Lake Toba, Telkomsel 4G covers almost 100% of populated area including the Lake Toba’s tourist destination and its surrounding areas. At Likupang, Telkomsel 4G covers around 75% of populated area across all touristic areas where the infrastructure development is still on-going. Telkomsel 4G has also covered almost 100% of populated area around Borobudur and around 90% of populated area in Labuan Bajo including Labuan Bajo’s touristic area, Komodo island, Rinca island and Padar island, Komodo airport, and ASDP Komodo harbor.

“Customer’s communication behavior has shifted to data consumption for video streaming and photo download at tourist spots compared to SMS and voice consumptions. Tourists also use data services for navigation, looking for information on tourist attractions, ticket reservation, and online payment. Data services are also used to access information on culinary, art shows and local cultures. Therefore, accessibility on telecommunication services has become significant to improve holiday experience and improve tourism industry in Indonesia to become more competitive with any other international destinations.” Moelky concluded,