BRCS (2)

Several days ago, I was unintentionally delivered to pak/bu yudhi's blog, where I found an official route map for BRCS. The following picture shows BRCS cable compared to its competitor (or friend ? :-D) : MIC-1 cable. This is also intended as a revision of my old-post where I mentioned BRCS.

Telkom's Batam Singapore Cable (BSCS?)

This post is to continue and formalize this conversation, since it would be easier to update this as more information regarding this system is available.

As of now, the only official information can be found for this system is as follows:

• Contractor: NEC Corp.
• Contract signed on March 2008
• CAPEX: USD 13.1 mn
  

Inofficial, according to pak Meneer, Telkom will use this cable to connect to the new AAG cable.

From these information we could speculate :-D that : (Achtung --> spoiler!!)

• The system should be ready at most Q3/2009, highly possible Q2/2009
• NEC could do this ? Yes, currently they also install Jakabare for Indosat; RFS schedule June 2009
• Which capacity ? for sure >= 20 Gbps; highly possible >= 40 Gbps
• How long ? it could be 50 -70 km; Telkom might utilize their existing CLS currently used for TIS cable
• Which landing point in SG ? No idea; could be Changi or Tuas; actually Tuas or Katong is better for Telkom's side but it is not necessarily permitted
• The system could more-or-less similar to DMCS
  

Telkom's Backbone

Several times ago, I mentioned Telkom's national backbone in this post. According to records published by KOMINFO, as of Q4/2005 Telkom owns 10,816 km fiber optic cable. The backbone network is distributed as follows:

• Surabaya-Banjarmasin-Makassar : 2,088 km (constructed in 2000)
• Trans-Java : 2,605 km (2000)
• Jakarta-Medan-Batam: 2,990 km (2004)
• Batam-Singapore-Bangkok: 1,043 km (2004)
• Dumai-Melaka: 161 km (2005)
• Banjarmasin-Balikpapan : 955 km (2005)
• Makassar-Palu: 974 km (2005)

This information can be compared with that I have mentioned in other posts. This and those information can be complement to each other. For instance, for "Batam-Singapore-Bangkok" entry mentioned above, I would guess that it refers to TIS cable, which shall actually be excluded in the calculation since it is a consortium cable.

Palapa Ring (6)

Below are some updates for the Palapa Ring project as of September 2008. It seems that there are some route adjustments; and that now the project schedule is more realistic, taking into account current market situations.

• 2 FP for repeatered system
• 12 FP for inland and repeaterless system
• Construction begin on April 2009;
  
• RFS final (all segments) on September 2011
• Section 1 Mataram - Parigi
  
• Section 2 Palu-Sorong
  
• Section 3 Makassar-Sorong
  
• Section 4 Makassar-Mataram/Kupang
  
• Section 5 Sorong-Jayapura
  
• Section 6 Fakfak-Merauke
  

Palapa Ring Map & Status as of Q3M/2008 (Source/Courtesy: KOMINFO)

Jakarta (IP) Bandwidth Price

I followed some traces left by Pak Meneer and was delivered to his records at Opisboy. This is claimed to be an "Informal ISP Technical ( dir-pji-like :p )" forum. Comments ? :-D Well, for non-local readers, "dir-pji" could be understood as "indonesian ISP Executives/VIPs" or as the forum of ISPs' owners/high-rank officials. It is "dir-pji-like" ? Personally, I would say "better-than-dir-pji" :-D Reasons? he..he..he. Don't take it seriously or even start thinking about that!! :-D

Back to bandwidth. According to Pak Meneer, the condition is as follows:

• Jakarta - Singapore connection costs around USD 150 th./month (STM-1 closed circuit, clear channel); or
• Jakarta - Singapore connection costs USD 1.5 mn/10 years (STM-1 closed circuit, clear channel, IRU scheme)
• IP transit in SG costs around USD 60 - 100 /Mbps/month

From this numbers, he estimates that the cost of (budget necessary for) IP transit at Jakarta would be approx. USD 1,068/Mbps/month for normal scheme, or approx. USD 181/Mbps/month for IRU scheme.

This is more-or-less justified by several recent media reports (quoted information given by Indosat/Fadzri Santosa, APJII/Sylvia or others) which give the figure of around USD 1,000 /Mbps/month. Sylvia and Fadzri might talk on different contexts e.g. Fadzri mentioned closed-circuit leasing bandwidth and Sylvia talked about IP transit. But nevertheless, if we look at the numbers given by Meneer Tutut, cost component for transit doesn't contribute significantly. If Indosat plays in this price level, then I guess, Matrix and Moratel/XL would offer a bit cheaper price.

Regarding IRU scheme, I know that Matrix offers this scheme. But I doubt that Indosat does (will do)?? So, the information above may specific to Matrix. Right pak ?? :-D Some friends of mine have told me that Matrix has done a very good "marketing move". They may soon increase their currently-almost-full-booked 60 Gbps capacity. :-D However this might a spoiler, not official!

Last issue, many people use USD/Mbps metric for bandwidth price. I would personally prefer USD/X-port metric e.g. USD 2,000/E1-port rather than USD 1,000/Mbps. Why? Simply, because not all line bandwidth are useable for user data. If we are talking about STM-1 line for instance, if it is channelized, its useable bandwidth is only 126 Mbps. If it is unchannelized, by using PoS for instance, its useable bandwidth might be in the range of 130 - 140+ Mbps.

That's all. Sorry this time without pics. :-D

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

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 ??

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

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

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 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)

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

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

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