Jakarta, 18th Desember 2017 – Telkomsel has strengthened all elements of the network in anticipation of communication traffic spikes that typically occur in the Christmas to New Year period. 103 compact mobile base station (Combat) or mobile BTS units are deployed at points with the densest communications traffic to ensure the convenience of customers in utilizing communication services, particularly on the New Year’s Eve.

Network optimization is arranged at 709 points that are predicted to be the center of public crowds during the Christmas and New Year holidays, such as malls, tourist attractions, squares, airports, terminals, stations and harbors. Among of these points, the top 13 prioritized locations are Merdeka Walk (Medan), Jam Gadang (Padang), Kuto Besak Fort (Palembang), Ancol and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Jakarta), Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Tangerang), Botanical Square (Bogor), Pangandaran (Ciamis), Yogyakarta Square, Tanjung Kodok (Lamongan), Kuta Beach (Bali), Merdeka Square (Balikpapan), Manado Town Square and Merdeka Square (Ambon).

Telkomsel has also enhanced 4G and 3G networks in 14 shopping centers which are estimated to experience increasing data communication during Christmas and New Year periods, namely Medan Fair, Mall Pekanbaru, Kelapa Gading Roundabout Jakarta, Depok Town Square, Living World Alam Sutera Mall, Mall Istana Plaza Paskal Bandung, Ciputra Mall Semarang, Malang Town Square, Lippo Mall Kupang, Duta Mall Banjarmasin, Trans Studio Mall Makassar, and Maluku City Mall Ambon.

Telkomsel’s Network Director Bob Apriawan said, "We have improved the quality and increased network capacity to ensure excellent network conditions to meet customers expectation in getting reliable network connection, mainly on the most crowded traffic conditions like these upcoming festive season, Christmas and New Year holidays. We also regularly perform network tests, whether in mobile or still conditions, to ensure the smooth use of data services, typically to upload photos or videos of year-end activities through customers’ devices."

At the peak of this Christmas and New Year period, data service traffic or payload is expected to increase 35% compared to normal days. Generally in this period data services are used by customers to watch videos and listen to music streaming, playing online games, or interact in instant messaging applications and social media. In addition to data services. SMS service traffic is also predicted to increase more than 12% in this period. In contrast to data and SMS services, voice service traffic is expected to decrease slightly, around 2% compared to normal days.

In terms of customer service, Telkomsel has organized 592 Mobile GraPARI (MoGi) and 359 standby outlets providing starter pack, credit top-up service, and activation of various digital services. Customers can also get service around 430 GraPARI Siaga in all parts of Indonesia. For customers who are accustomed to using instant messaging, GraPARI Virtual self-service service is ready to interact directly to answer various requests for information about Telkomsel's products and services for 7 x 24 hours accessible via LINE, Facebook Messenger and Telegram.

During the period of December 2017 to January 2018, Telkomsel also held Device Vaganza, 4G device bunding sales exhibition in nine cities across Indonesia. The event offered various digital product and services of Telkomsel, including Trade-In, Cash Back up to IDR 2.5 million, and Point Rewards.

In the event, customers also have an opportunity to get extra quota of Telkomsel data service by purchasing MiFi or smartphone, activating Halo Kick! Double Quotas package, or exchanging 4G Telkomsel SIM Card.

In addition, in serving the needs of customer communication during Christmas and New Year, Telkomsel has deployed more than 158,000 BTS across Indonesia to the archipelago. Over 28,000 eNode BTS (4G BTS) in more than 480 district cities are also installed to maximize customer convenience in using data services.