Published on 17/01/2024 at 07:20 GMT+7 Reading time

"We are investing according to the needs set by the National Capital City Authority (OIKN). In the early stages, we are investing gradually at the amount of Rp280 billion," Telkom's Vice President of Network/IT Strategy, Rizal Akbar, said on Monday.The investment by Telkom Indonesia to ensure that all telecommunication network requirements specified by the OIKN are completed before the celebration of Indonesia's 79th Independence Day on August 17, 2024.Rizal also explained that a portion of the initial investment of Rp280 billion by Telkom Indonesia would be used to support the construction of fiber optics in the Core Government Center (KIPP) 1A area. "[Then the investment] to build towers, construct smart poles, and also establish WiFi access there," he added.Previously, Deputy for Infrastructure and Facilities of OIKN, Silvia Halim, said that they had designated two business entities to accelerate the infrastructure development in IKN. These chosen entities are PT Telkom Indonesia and PLN Icon Plus, a subsidiary of State electricity company PT PLN."We have run a limited selection process last year. Why limited? Because from the urgency aspect of time, we need to be operational by August 2024," she said.Silvia revealed that the selected business entities had passed the selection process by meeting at least two main criteria, including having the necessary permits when starting the construction process and having physical infrastructure in East Kalimantan. "The process has been carried out, and we finally determined two business entities, namely PT Telkom Indonesia and Icon Plus, to provide telecommunication infrastructure in the form of fiber optics and base transceiver stations. This way, other business entities can collaborate with them," she concluded.