Barcelona, 28 February 2023 - Telkomsel, as the leading digital telecommunications company and the first 5G service provider in Indonesia, is once again engaged by the Indonesian Ministry of Communications and Informatics (Kominfo) to conduct the most advanced 5G technology trial in collaboration with Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. using the new frequency spectrum of 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz that has been granted by the Indonesian Ministry of Communications and Informatics for trial purposes.

This time, the three companies have initiated a 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) trial with sub-6 spectrum and millimeter Wave (mmWave) extended range with Gigabit last mile connectivity through affordable 5G Sub-6 and mmWave devices, considering Telkomsel's network technology specifications. Through this collaboration, Telkomsel, Ericsson, and Qualcomm are preparing for more optimal 5G capacity with low latency features, using Ericsson's 5G NR-Dual Connectivity technology in 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz frequency spectrum.

This latest collaboration is also a continuation of the 5G extended-range technology trial, which was previously demonstrated using Ericsson's mmWave extended-range software through Ericsson Massive MIMO AIR5322, the Qualcomm Fixed Wireless Access Platform Gen 2 on the Snapdragon X65 5G modem-RF and the Qualcomm QTM547 mmWave Antenna module, which succeeded with 800 MHz bandwidth at 26 GHz mmWave and was also permitted by the Ministry of Communications and Informatics of the Republic of Indonesia, last year on Lake Toba, Sumatra.

Now, the collaboration roadmap has been expanded to become the first in Indonesia to deliver 5G Standalone NR-DC (Dual Connectivity), combining 100 MHz bandwidth at the 3.5 GHz frequency and 800 MHz bandwidth at the 26 GHz frequency for ultra-capacity, lower latency capabilities, and peak throughput speeds of up to 7.37 Gbps. The Ericsson ultra-light Massive MIMO AIR3268, Radio Processor 6651, Cell Site Gateway, and 5G Core are provided to support 5G network slicing, combined with the UE Route Selection Policy (URSP) feature on commercial handsets using Android 12, which will ensure the best user experience on the Telkomsel network.

Director of Resource Planning at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Denny Setiawan, ST, MT, stated, "The Ministry of Communication and Informatics of the Republic of Indonesia appreciates the trial conducted by Telkomsel together with Ericsson and Qualcomm. We hope that the trial that has been conducted can contribute to the process of building the ecosystem and accelerating the development of 5G network technology to be more mature, in line with the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics, so that it can strengthen the joint commitment of all stakeholders in delivering quality and adequate 5G services to continue supporting Indonesia's digital transformation."

President Director of Telkomsel, Hendri Mulya Syam, said, "Strengthening our commitment as the leading digital enabler in Indonesia, Telkomsel, which has provided the widest digital connectivity coverage to all corners of the country, is consistently going beyond limits in unlocking more potential for the country's progress through strengthening the inclusive and sustainable digital lifestyle experience of Indonesian people with the support of the latest technology of mobile broadband connectivity access utilization. Together with our infrastructure and technology provider partners Ericsson and Qualcomm, Telkomsel is now continuing its collaboration to expand the development of the 5G-based Fixed Wireless Access technology roadmap in Indonesia."

Director Planning and Transformation of Telkomsel, Wong Soon Nam added, "Sees the continuation of this strategic collaboration with Ericson and Qualcomm as critical for Telkomsel 5G implementation, especially towards 5G Standalone (SA) capabilities and delivering innovative digital services for consumers. As a leading digital telco company, Telkomsel is ready to support the 5G spectrum roadmap developed by the Ministry of Communications and Informatics of the Republic of Indonesia through advanced technology trials.".

Head of Ericsson Indonesia, Jerry Soper, explained "Ericsson is pleased to be able to demonstrate the latest 5G technologies in Indonesia together with Telkomsel and Qualcomm, with features such as NR-DC (Dual Connectivity) and advanced network slicing UE Route Selection Policy (URSP), as part of Ericsson's commitment to supporting Telkomsel in expanding 5G network coverage in Indonesia, which includes remote rural areas to densely populated urban areas. Through this partnership, we aim to support Indonesia's digital transformation and accelerate its journey to an inclusive digital economy."

Vice President Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., ST Liew, stated, "The expansion of delivering high-speed internet access to untapped cities is Qualcomm's commitment and effort to help equalize broadband access networks in supporting digital transformation in Indonesia. By equipping operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) with cost-effective technology that can reach every point, we can empower consumers and enterprises with the best 5G connectivity for homes and businesses, including those in previously untapped areas with 5G."

The three companies have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding in conjunction with the Mobile World Congress (MWC) event in Barcelona as a commitment to the continuity of the collaboration that will expand the benefits of various digital-based solutions in the future.

The equally spread and high-quality digital connectivity that Telkomsel has consistently delivered in Indonesia is expected to continue to be sustained and continuously improved to strengthen the access experience of people's digital connectivity, which will support the acceleration of the nation's digital transformation, create new jobs in the digital sector, and increase national economic growth more inclusively. This initiative will help businesses in Indonesia simplify their operations and drive cost reduction, thereby increasing efficiency and productivity. Future network technologies such as 5G will play a significant role in achieving Indonesia's digital inclusion goals, particularly in delivering the forefront of digital connectivity from cities to remote areas of the country.