JAKARTA (Indonesia Today) – PT First Media Tbk (KBLV), cable television and internet business unit of Lippo Group, is ready to launch 4G TD-LTE (long term evolution) after having a greenlight from the Ministry of Information and Communication as operator for broadband wireless access (BWA).
First Media would become the first operator in Indonesia that implements LTE network. This year, it allocates Rp1.3 trillion (US$130 million) for providing internet service with speed of up to 150 megabites per second (Mbps).
First Media was awarded BWA license in November 2009, for 2 regions (Jabotabek-banten and North Sumatera), and has spent US$200 million (Rp2 trillion) for providing 4G broadband services under Sitra brand. Currently Sitra’s customers reached 10,000 supported by 1,000 base transceiver stations (BTS). First Media targets to add 3,000 BTS this year. (hans@theindonesiatoday.com)