TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Telkomsel Indonesia Tbk will spend trillions of rupiahs to continue adding its networks, not just domestically, but globally.

“We prepared Rp25 trillion,” Network Director PT Telkomsel Indonesia Abdul saaaSomad Arief said in Jakarta on Tuesday, March 24.

From the Rp25 trillion budget, about 40 percent of it will be for infrastructure development, while the rest will be for mobile network.

The company will extend its network to the U.S. and West Europe, while in the nation, the 4G development network will begin from Medan, Batam, Surabaya, Makassar, Tarakan and Balikpapan. “Domestic will be placed in the main line,” Abdul said.

Director General of Resource and Post Tools and Informatics (SDPPI) to the Ministry of Communications and Informations, Muhammad Budi Setiawan, supports the expansion of the network throughout Indonesia. He admits that about 70 percent of the people are still using a 2G network.

“The sum is unequal, with the eastern part of Indonesia positions as the most deserted traffc,” said Budi.

The rest of it, Budi says, is within the 3G network zone which is Java Island, with Jakarta as its center. “Its slowly switching to 4G,” he added.

PT XL Axiata Service Management Director Ongki Kurniawan said his side is collaborating with other operators including Telkomsel and that the 4G network could be enjoyed throughout Indonesia by the end of this year. However, not all operators will be using similar method, and is to be further discussed.

“It should be thorough due to the different cost of direct and indirect system,” Budi said.

URSULA FLORENE SONIA