Jakarta Metro Backbone

It seems that everybody in Jakarta want to have his own metro :-) Currently many companies have built their metro infrastructure to support their business, particularly in big cities such as the Greater Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Bandung etc. These include :

• well known telcos (TELKOM/TSEL, ISAT, XL, other?)
• successfull ISPs (BizNET,CBN, other?)
• VSAT network operators (CSM, Lintasarta, other ?); and
• backbone operators (ICON+,PowerTel,Napinfo,Moratel, other ?)

Recently, PT. iForte Solusi Infotek announced, that they have finished the construction of their fiber optic network which is using (and installed simultaneously with the development of) the TransJakarta busway infrastructure (map see below). They currently offer connection/access services called M-Wifo which are basically WiFi (802.11n compatible) access and fiber bridging. To my guess, it might be a RoF (Radio over Fiber) system.

Other related public information about iForte:

• the fiber optic backbone spans/follows 10 TransJakarta corridors
• CAPEX : USD 10 mn.
• Length : approx. 250 km
• RFS : June 2008
• Services : fiber optic connections, WiFi mesh 802.11n connections
• Projection : +/- 2,000 cust. (connection point) each year
• VIPs: Peter Djatmiko, Andrie Tjioe
  

Map of TransJakarta Busway, Courtesy of Maximilian Doerrbecker (Chumwa), taken from Wikipedia

Trans-Pacific Express (TPE) Cable System

TPE (Trans-Pacific Express) is claimed to be "the first next-generation undersea optical cable system directly linking the US and China" and "the first major undersea system to land on the US West Coast in more than seven years". TPE will have a more than 60 times the overall capacity of the existing cable directly linking the US and China, and thus it will be a major enhancement to the current cable systems between these nations.

TPE links China (Chongming and Qingdao), South Korea, Taiwan, and USA (Nedonna Beach). TPE is owned by a joint venture (ownership is evently split) between 6 telcos: China Telecom, China Netcom, China Unicom, Chunghwa Telecom, Korea Telecom, Verizon Communications, AT&T and NTT (the two latest joined in 03/2008).

• Consortium agreement: early 2007 ?
• CAPEX : USD 500 mn
• Length : approx. 17,700 km (11,000 miles)
• RFS : August (Q3) 2008 ??
• Capacity : 5.12 Tbps design, 1.28 Tbps initial (other source 2.56 Tbps); 10 Gbps channel; FP? Lambdas?; customers may utilize individual connections running at 10 Gbps

If TPE and AAG are completed, AT&T shall be the first large company having capacity on both systems. And if they have connections from China/Taiwan to Phillipines/Guam they may offer survivable transpacific connection services earlier than PACNET EAC-Pacific. True??

Source/Courtesy TPE Consortium?, taken from Wikipedia

Bandwidth "Under Water"

As Asia NetCom (currently PACNET) introduced its idea for EAC Pacific one or two years ago, they underlined the fact that due to underserved routes from South and South-East Asia, Japan-US connections have become a bottleneck. They have shown a picture similar to one below. It has attracted my attention since it split Asia into three regions together with their connectivity parameters. At least, it was something different than we might see in the free version of TeleGeography's reports/databases :-D CMIIW!

After a closer look at the given bandwidth figures and comparing with other publications (TeleGeography etc.), I have to conclude that it isn't real i.e. ANC possibly gave the capacity based on design numbers (fully equiped system). Right ?? Wrong ??

What is actually in the water ? The second pic gives us a hint for trans-pacific segment based on information provided by REACH.

How Much Bandwidth do Indonesian ISPs Have ?

Though there are many Internet and NAP service providers running their business since several years ago, "big Internet pipes" are only owned by the (former-telco-only) giants: Indosat, Telkom, Excelcomindo, and Telkomsel. They may have a total international IP bandwidth more than 1 Gbps. Unfortunately, as usual :-D I don't have complete, official, clear, and confirmable numbers for that. Maybe next time, I would come with a simple calculation using several rough statistics found in the media and balanced with some cases (personal experiences).

As can be seen in the mindmap below, Telkom shall have international IP connection (transit + peering) at least 2 Gbps; Telkomsel at least 1 Gbps (It is for me still a question, whether Telkomsel shares the bandwidth from its parent PT. Telkom ??); Indosat at least 2 Gbps (I found different numbers for year 2006/2007). Somebody will to advise ??

Unity Cable System

Unity is a new multi-terabit transpacific cable system with Google's taste :-D As you can see at this post, I've misunderstood that EAC Pacific would completely be a new transpac cable. It shall actually be a part of the Unity cable. To my knowledge, there are currently three competing parties offering new Asia-US connections:

• Trans-Pacific Express (TPE) : Verizon's Taste :-)
• Asia America Gateway (AAG)
• Unity : PACNET, Google etc.

Any other planned cables ?

Some public information about Unity:

• It connects Los Angeles, US to Chikura, Japan
• Length : approx. 10,000km
• Contractors: NEC Corp. + Tyco Telecommunications; the contract was signed on February 23, 2008.
• Members of Unity consortium : Bharti Airtel, Global Transit, Google, KDDI, Pacnet and SingTel
• CAPEX: approx. USD 300 mn
• RFS: Q1/2010
• Capacity: up to 8 FPs (recently deployed only 5 ?; 2 FP owned by PACNET); 96 Lambdas @ 10 Gbps (design); lit ?

Unity Route Map (Source/Courtesy Unity, NEC corp.)

FLAG Atlantic

FLAG Atlantic:

• Owner : FLAG
• Length : 14,500 km
• Capacity : 2,400 Gbps (6 FP x 40 wl @ 10 Gbps)
• RFS : 2000/2001

PT. Power Telecom (PowerTel)

Is there any relation between PowerTel Indonesia and PowerTel New Zealand/Australia ? Honestly I've just heard about this company a few months ago and about last week I was quite surprised when several media quoted the company press release that they are ready to offer services in Jakarta Bandung and that they are in the last stage of the preparation of Java-wide fiber optic infrastructure. Well, "Gut gemacht! Gratuliere!"

Facts and quotes:

• "In 2007 the company signed a contract with government-owned railway company PT Kereta Api to install the network along its railway in a 20-year deal"
  
• "PowerTel plans to go for IPO roadshow to Middle East, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The Indonesia's telecommunication network infrastructure provider has confirmed the support from Middle East investor. There could be more Middle East based investors coming in exceeding the locals"
• "PowerTel aims to deploy the optical fiber backbone along Java island. The 3,400 km - 3 ringed - architecture will be finished by 2009"
• "PT Power Telecom (Powertel) hopes to finish construction of a 3,400-km fiber optic cable system between Jakarta and the East Java capital of Surabaya early next year at the latest"
• Network link in Greater Jakarta and Bandung (500 km; RFS June 2008?) ; Stage two comprises a 833km fibre-optic link connecting Jakarta and Surabaya (RFS September 2008 ? Complete rings RFS Q1/2009 ?)
• "Power Telecom is spending IDR 800 bn (USD 86 mn) in its Java fibre-optic deployment and aims to complete the rollout in September" (2008? maybe for link to Surabaya?); from other sources "The company started building the network, estimated to cost IDR 1.2 trillion (USD 130 mn), earlier this year"
• "The network is expected to be linked with international networks from Jakarta and Surabaya" (Surabaya Hongkong?)
  
• "Once Power Telecom has completed its Java rollout it intends to expand its infrastructure in Sumatra in 2008 and Kalimantan in the next four years"
• "The company has allocated IDR 5 trillion to finance its entire capital expenditures for the next five years"
• "To complement its fibre-optic rollout the company is also setting up Wi-Fi and core IP networks to offer high speed internet access in Jakarta, Solo, Yogyakarta, Semarang and Boyolali"
• Capacity ? (multiple 640 Gbps/FP design capacity?; 48 FPs cable?) Suppliers?
  

Sources: TeleGeography, Swa, Kontan, etc.

PowerTel's Java Backbone (Source/Courtesy PowerTel| powertel.co.id)

Mobile Network Coverage : Telkomsel

As of Q2 2008 PT. Telekomunikasi Selular (Telkomsel/TSEL) operates 23,056 BTSs (including 3G) and serves 52.44 mn subscribers (4% postpaid, 96% prepaid). 4.55 mn of those are new customers this year. As of Q2 2008 TSEL customers spent totally 32.1 bn MoU (Minutes of Use), which is equivalent to 178+ mn MoU each day. It is claimed that the current TSEL network can handle up to 54.8 mn subscribers.

TSEL network coverage as of Q4 2007

Highlight Telkom

Telkom is the prime and largest operator offering fixed telephony (PSTN), FWA (brand "Flexi") and DSL services (brand "Speedy"). However by looking at subscription growth, it seems that wired-services are not prioritized anymore. As of Q2/2008, Telkom serves 8.7+ mn PSTN, 8+ mn Flexi and 0.5+ mn Speedy subscribers. The number of flexi subscribers may overtake that of PSTN by the end of this year or at the begin of 2009 at the latest.

PGASKOM (PGAS Telekomunikasi Nusantara)

It is not easy to find information for PGASKOM's backbone. PGASKOM is subsidiary of PGN (Perusahaan Gas Negara) which provides connection services using its fiber optic infrastructure currently installed along its gas pipes spanning from SG/Batam to Southern Sumatera (in the near future to Cilegon Banten and maybe to Jakarta). In an indirect press release several times ago as recorded by local newspapers (detik.com/bisnis?), PGASKOM shall have 96 core / 24 core fiber for terrestrial and submarine segments, respectively. Several cores shall already be leased by (some incumbent) telcos. Anybody knows more ??

Update
I've just found my copy of the more-than-1-year press-record :-)

• 4 fiber cores used for internal purpose; 2 cores are leased by Indosat
• Currently in operation: Grisik (Southern Sumatra) - Batam - Singapore
• (Possibly still) under construction: Grisik - Banjarnegara (Cilegon) via the SSWJ (South Sumatra West Java) pipes
• Telkom and PGN/PGASKOM have signed an MoU several times ago, possibly for using PGN infrastructure

New Asian/Transpacific Submarine Cables

In addition to AAG, several new cable systems in/via Asia are developed (just commissioned or currently under construction). This includes :

• Trans-Pacific Express (US-China)
• FLAG NGN (Intra-Asia, Intra-Africa, Mediterranean, Trans-Pacific)
• IMEWE/TIC (Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Europe)
• East Asia Crossing (EAC) Extension
  

From a certain point of view EAC transpacific might offer a better network robustness than AAG since it uses two separate routes to connect to the US (something similar to the Apollo cable system for Transatlantic connection). Some other information about the EAC extension:

• Transpacific ring system connecting South East Asia (the Phillipines) directly to the US
• Configuration: Design capacity 2.56Tbps; initial capacity 200Gbps; 4 FPs, DWDM
• RFS: July 2008 ?
  

Courtesy EAC, Taken from George McLaughlin, APAN

National and Regional RENs

Actually since a long time ago I want to write threads about RENs (Research and Education Networks). Why? Simply because they were the origin of the current Internet and they still have a major role in creating advances in networking technologies. This time I would not start with an indonesian case (if INHERENT or Jardiknas can be categorized as a National REN/NREN), but with european cases.

BWiN, GWiN and SurfNET

GWiN Connectivity and Traffic Statistics

Each country in Europe has one or more NRENs. These are connected at a higher level with regional european RENs. Some of you might already heard about TEN-155 or currently GEANT/GEANT2; these are RENs at european level. At country level, Germany for instance has formerly BWiN (Breitband Wissenschaftnetz), GWiN (Gigabit Wissenschaftnetz) and currenly XWiN (X Wissenschaftnetz :-)). Other examples: France has RENATER, Holland has SurfNET, UK has Janet and UKnet?. During my dissertation several years ago, I used intensively these networks to measure, calculate and simulate performance of my approaches and algorithms.

These RENs are active and very dynamic since they are intended to fascilitate research on advance networking technologies and their applications. We may take a look the case of the RE networking (r)evolution in Germany:

First Generation (1989/1990) --> X.25-WiN

• 64 kbps in core; 2.5 - 64 kbps access
• X.25 technology
• 1990 upgraded to 2 Mbps (core and access)

Second Generation (1995-1999) --> BWiN

• 155 Mbps in core; 4.8 kbps - 155 Mbps access
• ATM technology
  

Third Generation (2000-2005) --> GWiN

• 10 Gbps in core; 128 kbps - 10 Gbps access
• PoS technology
  

Fourth Generation (2006-) --> XWiN

• heterogeneous technologies based on recent advances in optical transmission/networking

At a glance, from my point of view, XWiN takes the NLR (National Lambda Rail) model to some extent.

Excelcomindo's Backbone

As of Q4/2006, Excelcomindo has installed and operated more than 2,300 km submarine and more than 5,500 km terrestrial fiber optic cable. This information can be used to check or balance my former calculation (however this was for Q4/2007, since it is based on the information from Kominfo on that time frame). I'm just thinking to derive a progress factor, something like fiber deployment rate each year each operator (km/year), just to have a rough metric for measuring operators' progressivity. Whether somebody out there (in Kominfo or in the operators) is already doing this??

Source/Courtesy: Excelcomindo, Hasnul Suhaimi (Q4/2007)

Source/Courtesy: Excelcomindo, Dian Siswarini (Q4/2007)

Mobile Network Coverage

How many BTSs are needed to completely cover a city on average? 50 ? 100 ? more/less ? If each operator has its own tower, then it would be 250 to 500 towers in a city (assuming there are 5 operators, 1 BTS each tower).

Around two years ago, when I came back from Germany after several years leaving, almost every 1 minute or maybe less of my trip from Jakarta to Bandung (also inside the cities) I saw a BTS tower!! Several times later people told me that indeed due to "cellular wars", our cities have turned into "Hutan BTS" (BTS forrests). Well this is the fact. This might:

• positively influence economic sectors (local cellular-supporting industries, maintenance outsourcing industries, PEMDA's income ? etc.)
• also negatively impact several other things e.g. introducing "optical" polution, destroying city layout (regulation is far slower than business!), injecting more electromagnetic radiations to the home (well, EMR-TTH :-)) etc.
  

I almost forget that the title is about mobile coverage. Below are two pics showing coverage areas of Indosat and Excelcomindo. I don't have that of Telkomsel right now, but intuitively, for TSEL you might see more "reds". Statistical numbers and values will be addressed in special threads, maybe in the next days.

Network Coverage (Indosat Q1/2006)

Network Coverage (Excelcomindo Q4/2006)

Looking at these, it seems that they might use a similar software ? Nokia-based ?

Highlight Axis (Natrindo - NTS)

PT Natrindo Telepon Selular (NTS - formerly Lippo Telecom Group) delivers its services under the brand "Axis". It is currently owned by STC (Saudi Telecom) via its malaysian subsidiary Maxis.

NTS has started its operation by February 2008. As of August 2008, they claimed that they have built approx. 2,000+ BTS and serve 1+ mn subscribers in Java, Bali and Sumatera (approximatly covering 25% of the population). They expect that they present nationswide in 2009 by increasing the network coverage with approx. 8,000 to 10,000 BTSs (Q4T/2009).

Highlight Smart Telecom (Formerly Sinar Mas)

Smart Telecom has entered the market by late 2007. "Smart" was chosen as a new company name after consolidation of PT. Wireless INdonesia (Sinar Mas subsidiary) and PT. Primasel. Currently it serves 500+ th. subscribers and covers major cities in Java, Bali and Lombok with approx. 1,500+ BTSs. The company intends to expand network coverage to Sumatera, Kalimantan and Sulawesi by the end of this year and expects to acquire around 2 mn new customers. It is roumored that recently, Smart has also acquired some shares of PT. Moratelindo (??).

Highlight Mobile-8

Mobile-8 (M8) was established in 2002. It acquired Komselindo and Metrosel in 2003. It is known as the first CDMA public cellular operator in the country.

M8 currently exists with two brands: "Fren" for cellular CDMA services and "Hepi" for FWA services. The latter was just recently launched (May 2008). As of Q1B/2008, its customer base reaches 3+ mn.

Highlight Three HCPT (Hutchison)

PT Hutchison CP Telecommunications Indonesia (HCPT) delivers its services under the brand "Three". It is the same brand as marketed in other countries by Hutchison group.

HCPT has started its operation by March 2007. As of August 2008, they claimed that they build approx. 6,000 BTS till Q4/2008 and currently serve 3.2 mn subscribers in Java, Bali and Sumatera (20% of the total customers of Hutchison group). They expect that they overtake Bakrie Telecom as the country's fourth largest cellular/mobile operator in 2009.

HCPT Status as of Q3M/2008

Three Coverage as of Q3M/2008 (Source/Courtesy Three.co.id)

Hutchison Group (Source/Courtesy Kevin Law/HGC)

Highlight ISAT (Indosat)

As the current state, Indosat (ISAT) is the second largest cellular operator.

Customer base

• July 2008: 32.4 mn (97.5% prepaid)

Network/Traffic

• July 2008: 12+ th.BTS; 1.4 bn min/day; covers 33 provinces, 428 districts, 97% population

Links
x

Indosat's Backbone (2)

I've just found another version of Indosat's backbone. For me it looks a bit better than the previous one, though some links might still be not so accurate.

Source/Coutesy: Indosat, Brata T. Hardjosubroto, 2007

Asia America Gateway AAG (2)

One day in 2007 George McLaughlin has mentioned AAG as a possible infrastructure for supporting future Asian networks (APAN - in the context of RENs). It shall at the begin this year a decision whether or not APAN acquires a stake in the consortium. Since the Hengchun's earthquake many people see AAG as a potential infrastructure for increasing network reliability between (South/South-East) Asia and the USA, since it uses different routes than the usual Asia-US submarine cables. AAG also plays an important and strategic role that it can be extended to other countries/continents, thus increasing network reliability at a global scale (see the pic below).

How is the status of AAG currently ? I've found several new things, but not much :-)

• CAPEX : USD 550 mn (update to this post)
• "The Philippine leg of Asia-America Gateway (AAG) cable system landed in the northern province of La Union" (this happened several times ago; PLDT contributes USD 50 mn for this project)
• RFS Q4/2008, commercial traffic early 2009
  

AAG - Map and Possible Extensions

AAG West Portion (REACH)

Cable Crossings at Hongkong Landing Point (South Lantau?)

Palapa Ring (5)

The last non-incumbent member of Palapa Ring consortium, PT. Powertek Utama Internusa has indirectly cancelled its membership (update to this post) . Thus the consortium currently consists of the four-biggest telcos:

• PT. Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom)
• PT. Indosat
• PT. Excelcomindo Pratama
• PT. Bakrie Telecom
  

According to the consortium, Powertek hasn't fulfilled its commitment as stated in the CCMA (Consortium Construction Management Agreement) signed several times ago. The consortium has now to solve / rearrange the investment issue, since it lacks USD 45 mn caused by membership cancellations of Powertek and Infokom.

First Generation Domestic Optical Cable Systems

PT. Indosat has begun to deploy submarine cables since 1985 (optical?). PT. Telkom on the other side has stated that the TIS cable is its first optical submarine cable system.

Recently, according to ASN record, Telkom has already deployed an optical submarine cable system in 90s. Which is true ? Is it only the matter that TIS is international while the other is domestic ?

The records:

• Name : Northern Route Java-Bali
  
• System/family : unrepeatered
• Contractor : ASN
• Length : 55 / 3 km
• Capacity: STM-16 lit / 6 FPs
  
• Service date : 1995

Highlight TSEL (Telkomsel)

Telkomsel (TSEL) is the largest cellular operator in the country.

Customer base

• February 2008: 50 mn (5 mn 3G customers)
• July 2008: 6.2 mn 3G customers; 106 th. 3.5G customers
• August 2008: 58+ mn
• Dec 2008F: 60+ mn subs

Network/Traffic

• February 2008: 21,000 BTS
• July 2008: 300 mn SMS/day; 65 mn subs network capacity; 43 th. SMS/s
• August 2008: 24,000+ BTS
• Dec 2008F: 26,000 BTS

Links
x

Jakasusi, Jasutra & SKKL-JS

Below are several domestic submarine fiber optic cable systems owned by PT. Indosat.

Jakasusi (JAva KAlimantan SUlaweSI) :

• Jakasusi segment 1 (B1) connects Banyu Urip (Jawa Timur) to Takesung (Kalimantan Selatan)
• Jakasusi segment 2 (B2) connects Takesung (Kalsel) to Aeng Batu Batu (Sulawesi Selatan)
• Length 1,000 km
• CAPEX USD 40 mio.
• Construction period : March 2006 - October 2006
• Contractor : Alcatel (ASN)
• Subcontractors :EGS Asia Ltd (route survey, burial assessment survey - February 2006)
  
• Capacity : ?

Jasutra (JAva SUmaTeRA) :

• CAPEX: USD 6 mio.
• Contractor : Alcatel (ASN)
• System : (shall be) unrepeatered
• Capacity : ?
• Construction period : 2006 ?
  

SKKL-JS (Sistem Komunikasi Kabel Laut - Jakarta Surabaya)

• Familly/system : repeatered
• Contractor : Alcatel (ASN)
• Capacity : 5 Gbps / 1 FP
• Length (km) : 730
• Number of repeaters : 7
• Service date : 1996

Anybody knows JATISEMARAK ?

Highlight XL (Excelcomindo)

In this new "Highlight" thread, I would archieve some actual facts (of my interest) related to indonesian telcos/ISPs.

Currently, XL (Excelcomindo Pratama) is the third largest telco in the country. This is currently justified if we look at the customer base and some financial performances of the company. The current champion is Telkom Group (inc. Telkomsel) while the "vize" champion is Indosat Group. The position might change in the (near) future, especially since XL "moves" quite progressive after TM acquisition and after the former Indosat CEO Hasnul Suhaimi leads this company.

Customer base

• June 2008: 22.9 mn
• July 2008: 24+ mn
• Dec 2008F: 27+ mn

Network

• August 2008: 14,000 BTS; covers 95+% population
• 2008 as of now: 380 mn calls/day; 60 mn SMS/day; capacity 6,500 SMS/s
• fiber optic deployed 2005: submarine 2,320 km, inland 3,520 km
• fiber optic deployed 2006: submarine 2,320 km, inland 5,530 km

From many sources

International IP Bandwidth

Currently I have only some official information specific to Indosat. This was presented by Indosat several times ago (Apricot 2006 Bali ??). However, it belongs to the "biggest" pipes owned by indonesian ISPs.

Indosat's IP Transit Bandwidth:

• Batam - Singapore --> 465 Mbps
• Jakarta - Singapore --> 930 Mbps
• Jakarta - Hongkong --> 775 Mbps
• Jakarta - USA --> 620 Mbps
  

• Total --> +/- 3 Gbps
  

Indosat's International Peering Bandwidth:

• Total --> +/- 500 Mbps
  

Can Broadband Spread to the Masses?

In this post, I just want to archieve some facts and opinions given by Arjun Trivedi (NSN-Nokia Siemens Networks) in the first Indonesian Broadband Summit held last April in Jakarta. The title above is taken from Arjun Trivedi's slides, since to my opinion, that title describes the most important message from his presentation. (I was not attending this event and just found his presentation material through a link referred from Mastel website). But don't forget to balance the question with "Where are the Masses?" :-)

Some facts/statistics as of end 2007 (source UN, Ovum, ITU, BIS Sharapnel, Operators, NSN Market Intelligence):

• Population 233 mio.
• Households 59 mio.
• Internet users 31 mio.
• Dial-up access 0.7 mio. subs/month
• Broadband subscription 0.3 mio.
• HSDPA users 0.1 mio.
• PC/laptop households 7mio.
• DSL subscribers 72%, Cable subscriber 25%, other 3%
• Broadband CAGR Indonesia 115% in last 3 years (2005-2007)
  
  

Regions served by broadband according to NSN

Opinions:

• Broadband is still in early stage of development with sporadic coverage (see above)
  
• Broaband access can open up a nation's economy once we overcome challenges in affordability and connectivity: increased competitiveness, better education systems & working environment, savings of operational costs
• Key drivers for broadband penetration : acceptance of Internet, affordable packages, variety of technology choices & availability, government support for ict development
• DSL is still preferred form of broadband access globally; cable modem sparks demand with TV offerings; other technologies such as FTTx, WiMAX are in the pipeline for introduction
  

Profile of indonesian broadband subscribers (NSN surveys 12/2007-2/2008; Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Medan)

• Typical user profile: highly educated people in their early 20's
• Common user habbit: daily home-working, email, browsing & chatting (PC/laptop)
• Perception of broadband: faster internet access, simultaneous use of telephone and internet
• Most familiar broadband service technology: DSL, Cable
• Preferred billing system: post-paid (more specific ? - may be "flat" but "cheap" :-))
  
• Preferred method of payments: ATM, authorized dealers
• Main influence in selecting broadband access: recommendation from friends
• Barriers to have broadband access: price and service availability

Some other important issues for broadband acceptance:

• Good reputation
• Extensive network coverage; connection quality; stable speed
  
• Ease of payment, accurate billing, easy understanding of bill statement
• Price affordability, fast installation, good value for money
  

Case "Broadband in South Korea" :

• Over the past two decades the SK government and its privatesector have built one of the world most advance IT infrastructures
• 76% of Koreans over age of 6 use Internet with e-government, e-commerce and e-education being popular applications
• In 2006, korean IT industry grew approx. 4x more than the non IT industry, and its portion of total GDP is over 16% while telecoms services account for over 5%
• Government established "u-KOREA Master Plan" and part of this is the establishment of "u-Infrastructure" or a 'Broadband convergence Network' (BcN)
• BcN aims to provide broadband multimedia services to 10 mio. households (approx. 55% households) with wired services and 10 mio. subs (approx. 20% of the population) with wireless services by the year 2010 and to achieve telecom/broadcasting equipment production volume of about USD 73 bill. as well as export volume of USD 20.1 bill
  

Wiring Kalimantan

As in the case of Sumatera, the biggest three telcos are developing their optical transmission infrastructure in Kalimantan. As you can see below, they have chosen to follow terrestrial paths approximately parallel to the coastal line of Kalimantan. This might mirror the actual social and economic development in Kalimantan. Festoon optical networks could still be possible to be deployed as backup for current almost linear topology.

Jasuka

Jasuka (Jawa Sumatera and Kalimantan) backbone is owned by PT. Telkom and was operated since early 2006. It consists of 2 rings and connects 30 cities in the islands including

• Ring 1 : Jakarta, Tanjung Pakis, Tanjung Pandan, Pontianak, Batam, Dumai, Pekanbaru, Jambi, Palembang,Baturaja, Bandar Lampung
• Ring 2 : Medan, Tebing Tinggi, Rantau Prapat, Pekanbaru, Bukit Tinggi, Padang, Sibolga, Pematang Siantar

Several other facts:

• Contractors : NEC-Siemens consortium
• Subcontractors : EGS Asia (cable route study and survey, burial assessment survey), NTTNE Marine (GMSL NTT venture), SBSS (GMSL China Tel venture)
• Construction period : 2005 - 2006
• Length : 10,080 (10,040?) km submarine, 780 km terrestrial
• CAPEX : approx. USD 55 mio (?)
• Capacity : 20 Gbps initial (submarine), 10 Gbps initial (terrestrial), upgreadable to 320 Gbps, 32 Lambdas possibly 1 or 2 FP (submarine)
• Cable breaks this year (2008) : Jakarta - Tanjung Pandan; Jambi - Rengat (HPBB?)

TIS Cable

TIS stands for Thailand Indonesia Singapore. As indicated by the name, it is an optical submarine cable spanning from Songkhla (Thailand) to Batam (Indonesia) via Changi (Singapore). TIS cable was the first submarine cable project of PT. Telkom.

• Operated since December 2003
• Length: approx. 1,100 km
• Owners: consortium of SingTel, CAT Telecom, and PT. Telkom
• CAPEX: USD 36 mio.
• Capacity: design 320 Gbps, initial 30 Gbps
• Contractor: NEC Corp.
• Construction: 11/2002-12/2003
• Repeatered and unrepeatered system
  

Indosat's Backbone

In this post I just want to put some additional information (maybe "another view") of the Indosat's backbone mentioned in the this post. The map below was presented by Indosat in Apricot conference several times ago (2006, in Bali I guess). Does Indosat use any consortium's cables (SMW, APCN) just to link to Singapore ?

National Fiber Optic Backbone

How does Indonesia's backbone currently look like ? How many kilometers of fiber optic cables are laid/buried/mounted nationwide? How are they distributed ? Some of you might already be confronted with such questions. I could not help you with exact answers either :-). But let us make some approximations. If we only consider the three biggest players (Telkom, Indosat, and Excelcomindo), after a quick and dirty calculation and some image processing efforts, I have the following estimates.

Long distance backbone of PT. Telkom (Source KOMINFO, 2007)

Long distance backbone of PT. Indosat (Source KOMINFO, 2007)

Long distance backbone of PT. Excelcomindo Pratama (Source KOMINFO, 2007)

PT. Telkom

• Jawa+Bali+NusaTenggara --> 2000+ km
• Sumatera --> 2200+ km
• Kalimantan --> 600+ km
• Sulawesi --> 500+ km
• Submarine (domestic) --> 3600+ km

PT. Indosat

• Jawa+Bali+NusaTenggara -->1500+ km
• Sumatera-->2400+ km
• Kalimantan-->600+ km
• Sulawesi-->100? km
• Submarine (domestic)-->3200+ km (SMW, APCN excluded)
  

PT. Excelcomindo Pratama

• Jawa+Bali+NusaTenggara-->2500+ km
• Sumatera-->1800+ km
• Kalimantan-->1000+ km
• Sulawesi-->1200+ km
• Submarine-->1700+ km
  

Given a certain margin, I would come to approximately 11,000 km for Telkom and around 10,000 km both for Indosat and for Excel (Any comments for this? :-)). This figures come under assumptions that a single span is only housed by a single cable. If we count some new long distance operators (ICON+,PGASKOM, Moratel, Napinfo etc.) and the emerging metro optical networks being deployed by many telcos and ISPs (above mentioned + Lintasarta, Biznet, CBN, etc.) I would come to a figure between 40,000 to 50,000 km!

Palapa Ring (4)

By yesterday (7/8/2008) PT. Infokom Elektrindo has renounced its membership in the Palapa Ring consortium. Thus it now consists of only 5 companies. From several VIPs of the consortium in a press release, several things are revealed:

• The consortium has to find funding for around USD 15 mio. previously committed by Infokom; it is (still) assumed that the project's cost is approximately USD 225 mio.
• Alternatively, it might change network configuration (routes, landing points, and also sections); it was said that the consortium is open for any proposal from the contractor candidates.
• The proposals are still in the evaluation process (means delays ... :-) ... see the pic)
• The VIPs have explicitly also said that due to "indutrial peak seasons" the schedule might further be delayed (the milestone diagram in the picture was released in 3/2008)
  

Wiring Sumatera

Looking at the telecommunication infrastructure in western Indonesia, Jawa-Bali and
Sumatera are counted among the bests. Long distance transmission across the island is mainly served by terrestrial fiber optic links, which are approximately described in the picture below. This is based on the infrastructure of the three largest telecom operators PT. Telkom, PT. Indosat and PT. Excelcomindo (both existing or under development). The cable owned by PGASKOM (PGN) and possibly that of other operator(s) are not displayed yet. Several links might be inaccurate e.g. the link Pekanbaru-Padang (ISAT?) or Pekanbaru-Pariaman (XL?). Looking at this, to my opinion :

• Without participation from the three big telcos mentioned above, the possibility to "festoonly wire" Sumatera as in the Palapa Ring proposal is not very high; it likely might not be happened :-)
• These telcos are already on the "right" track with regard to infrastructure; they just have to put more "professionalism" in utilizing their optical backbone and not only to focus on competition for gaining more cellular/mobile subscribers
  

Palapa Ring (3)

It seems that the project is delayed, just like several other submarine cable projects :-)

Below are several issues related to the project as of March 2008 (source KOMINFO - Ministry of Information and Communications) :

• Capacity 10 Lambdas @ 10 Gbps upgradeable to 16 Lambdas (updated - see my previous PR post)
• Length of the cable 11,202 km (1,857 km inland, 9,345 km submarine)
• Construction begin on Jan 2009; RFS final (all segments) on April 2010
• Section Mataram - Parigi shall be ready (RFS) on Q1/2009
• Section Palu-Manado-Makassar-Kendari RFS on Q2/2009
• Section Kendari-Sorong-Ende-Makassar RFS on Q4/2009
• Section Sorong-Jayapura-Fakfak-Merauke RFS on Q1/2010

Here are several resources related to the Palapa Ring project which can be found on the Net :

• General Palapa Ring project description from KKPPI (click here for a local copy)
• Request for Pre-Qualification from the consortium; searchable from Indosat's or Infokom's sites (click here for a local copy); a different version can be access via the DGPT site
• From the DGPT site you may also see the preliminary Palapa Ring network map (click here for a local copy)

High Performance BackBone (HPBB)

HPBB functions as the main backbone of PT. Telkom in Sumatera. It connects the following places:

• Medan, Pekanbaru, Jambi, Talang-Kelapa, Palembang, BandarLampung, Kalianda, Ciwandan, Cikupa, Jakarta
• Pekanbaru-Padang
• Pekanbaru-Dumai-Bukit Dangas, Batam (partially submarine link)
  

Other issues:

• Length 3,000 km (other sources: 2,000+ km); however this gives enough reasons to revise my former calculation :-)
• CAPEX EUR 70 mio. (that time USD > EUR)
• Construction period : 2002 - 2003
• Contractors: Siemens - Pirelli (Pirelli optical cable division is acquired by Alcatel several years ago)
• Capacity : ?
  

We need a better illustration I guess :-)

Indonesian DSL Market

The title might be broader than I could write here right now. However, as usual, the thread will be continued later if I get some new interesting information.

Though several small ISPs do offer DSL access, PT. Telkom is surely the market leader with 97+% market share (of the number of customers). You may see the number of customers as of Q2/2008 in the picture below. There are totally around 400 th. subscribers (we might compare with the number/statistics mentioned by Arjun Trivedi - however it is for Q4/2007). More than the half of it (200+ thousands) resides in Java.

Other rough statistics given by PT. Telkom:

• Customer acquisition rate: Q1/2008 --> 567 cust/day; May/2008 --> 1081 cust/day
• ABPU (Average Bill Per User - any better terms ?? ): IDR 314 th./month