Malang, 18 May 2017 – To ensure the network's readiness to serve customers during Ramadan and Lebaran 1438 H, Telkomsel conducted the 'Network Drive Test' with journalists. Network Drive Test 2017 starts from Juanda Airport Surabaya and ends in Malang, where this time Telkomsel demonstrates seamless 4G LTE network technology that will support a prime 4G service to be enjoyed by customers during their trip.

Telkomsel Network Director Bob Apriawan said, "The convenience of our customers to be able to communicate wherever they are is always a priority for Telkomsel. The network test to welcome Ramadhan and Lebaran season is our way to ensure that all services provided, especially data services, running smoothly and have good quality. "

Bob added that today's customers need to connect to the Internet is very high. Activities in the digital platform have become their daily life, and for that, Telkomsel paid special attention to the quality of data services provided to its customers. It is expected that this effort will support customers' digital activities during their trip, including browsing for information, social media, and streaming of various video content.

In addition to the Surabaya - Malang route, this year 's Network Drive Test is also conducted on the homecoming route and return route covering the Java and North cross railways, the main road from Merak - Banten to Ketapang in Banyuwangi via North, South Line and Toll Road. Moreover, trials are also conducted on the Sumatra Highway (main road) from Bakauheni to Banda Aceh through the Western Highway, the Central Traffic Route and the Eastern Cross Routes. There are seven cities that become the focus of network strengthening since this place is the destination of travelers during Idul Fitri, namely Medan, Padang, Lampung, Bandung, Semarang, Surabaya and Makassar. As for the departure city, Jakarta, Balikpapan and Batam are selected locations.

"In total we cover a distance of approximately 11,000 km in the test network this year. On the other hand with the operation of Telkomsel LTE 4G service in nearly 500 district capitals with the distribution of more than 11,000 BTS 4G, we hope this will further add the convenience of customers to communicate in special moments of Ramadan and Lebaran”, said Bob.

Telkomsel predicts that there will be a surge in communications traffic in data services in the homecoming (mudik) route and tourist destination spots when compared with ordinary day traffic. Traffic spikes in data services ranged from 20% to 25% through 5809 Tera Byte. Meanwhile, voice services are predicted to decline between -3% to -6% to 1.37 billion minutes, and SMS ranges from - 1% to -3% to 720 million SMS.

To anticipate this, Telkomsel conducted a series of network optimization activities, such as maintaining the availability of VLR (Visitor Location Register) or the adequacy of customer capacity. Along the main homecoming route in Java Island and Sumatera, Telkomsel provided 35% - 60% of network availability, such as West Java by 38%, Central Java by 48% and East Java by 57% and South Sumatra by 58%.

Crowded Places and Tourist Destinations

Telkomsel has also identified 838 hotspots or POIs (Point of Interest) covering Airports, Bus Terminals, Train Stations, Docks, Hospitals, Dense Populated Areas, Traditional Markets and Malls, where these locations are predicted to experience a spike in communications, which is quite high during Ramadan and Lebaran. A total of 65 spots are considered as digital POI category, whereby customers can experience digital lifestyle product, TCASH and have 2G trade-in devices. The locations are the top priority for network quality so customers can conveniently access data services from these spots for video applications, Music and games.

"Specifically, we identify densely crowded spots, such as areas or attractions, airports, and even toll’s exit. Our network capacity is upgraded in these locations, to keep our customer experience intact, even if there is a spike in traffic " Explains Bob.

Telkomsel has service points in 312 mudik route and 526 tourist spots. To maximize the capacity at these locations, Telkomsel operates 89 COMBAT units (Compact Mobile Base Station) to improve customer convenience in accessing data services.

On the other hand, throughout the year Telkomsel continues to expand its network coverage in various regions in Indonesia which is also expected to support the prime network during Ramadan and Lebaran. In the Lebaran period Telkomsel subscribers will enjoy quality network that is supported by 140,000 BTS across the country, of which more than 60% of them are broadband base stations (3G and 4G) capable of serving Internet bandwidth of 1687 Gbps (Giga bits per second).

On the customer care side, Telkomsel provice service points at POI locations that have been identified to ensure that customer communication needs are maintained. In addition, all of Telkomsel's existing service channels are also expected to function optimally during Ramadhan and Lebaran, including 84 GraPARI Telkomsel Siaga and 346 GraPARI Mitra Siaga, 487 Mobile GraPARI, 81 units of MyGraPARI self-service digital service and 359 Branch Office Distributor Partners (TDC) . At the same time, Telkomsel's distributor partners are also on hand to maintain the availability of starter pack and reload voucher (mkios) through 3779 Outlet Siaga.

Customers and the public can obtain information about Telkomsel's products, features and services through GraPARI, Call Center 188, interactive browser (UMB). In addition, customers can visit various digital channels Telkomsel, ranging from websites, myTelkomsel applications, e-mail cs@telkomsel.com, TselCHAT, as well as Telkomsel's Facebook and Twitter account. In addition, during the Ramadhan and Lebaran periods, Telkomsel also conducted several other programs for customers, including the annual agenda of Mudik Bareng and Pointastic customer loyalty program for customers with various attractive prizes.