Jakarta, 16 August 2017 –  In an effort to uphold the sovereignty of The Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and to accelerate the economic growth of community, Telkomsel consistently presents network infrastructure in the foremost and outer regions of Indonesia. Over the past year Telkomsel has built more than 120 new base transceiver stations (BTS) in areas directly adjacent to neighboring countries, bringing 753 BTS in total to now operate across border areas in Indonesia.

President Director of Telkomsel Ririek Adriansyah said, "We are confident that communicating and interconnecting is the right of all Indonesian people, without exception. It is our responsibility to integrate the country on an ongoing basis by continuing to build and open access to telecommunication services throughout Indonesia, including the border areas of the country. The deployment of telecommunication networks reaching every inch of our country is to liberate all Indonesian people from the isolation of communication. "

753 BTS that Telkomsel has built is located on the border with seven neighboring countries: 17 BTS are located in Batam and Bintan bordering Singapore; 276 BTS is bordering with Malaysia in Dumai, Rokan, Bintan, Karimun, Anambas, West Kalimantan, North Borneo, Northern Sumatra, Rokan Hilir; 70 BTS in Natuna and Anambas bordering Vietnam, 210 BTS in East Nusa Tenggara bordering with East Timor; 66 BTS on Rote and Maluku Islands bordering with Australia; 70 BTS in North Sulawesi bordering with the Philippines; And 44 BTS in eastern Papua bordering Papua New Guinea.

Of all BTS in the border region of the country, 240 BTS are present in locations previously untouched by telecommunication access. At some of the border points, Telkomsel is working with the government to build to advance communities in the region. In fact, to provide convenience to the public in using data services, 177 BTS border has been equipped mobile broadband technology based on 4G and 3G.

Ririek added that the presence of broadband services for local communities is expected to encourage development in border areas, including accelerating economic and social growth, as well as being a catalyst in promoting regional potentials, as well as increasing investment attractiveness, business opportunities, and even new jobs. "With the network spread all the way to the countryside, Telkomsel connects Indonesia through telecommunication services that open new opportunities and encourage positive socio-economic impacts for society," explained Ririek.

On the other hand, in view of the important position of geopolitically strategic border regions, the presence of Telkomsel's services in these locations certainly further strengthens the preservation of The Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. The development of telecommunication infrastructure in the outer islands as well as state borders is a form of Telkomsel's support in maintaining the unity of The Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, enhancing national resilience, as well as unifying the Indonesian nation spread over the various islands in this  archipelago country. The opening of communication access is also very helpful for the Indonesian National Army, especially in supporting various operational activities of the army who served in the front guard in maintaining the integrity of the state.

Telkomsel nationwide now has deployed more than 146,000 base stations across the country reaching up to 95% of the Indonesian population. Of these, more than 96,000 BTS of which are 4G and 3G BTS to ensure customers enjoy quality data services.