Ericsson awarded network expansion contract by XL in Indonesia

Ericsson has been awarded an expansion contract by PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk (XL) to expand its GSM/GPRS and WCDMA/HSPA in Indonesia.

Under the three-and-a-half-year frame agreement, Ericsson will supply both best-in-class 2G and 3G radio access network and MINI-LINK transmission equipment, as well as deployment of its proven Mobile Softswitch Solution. This is a step forward for XL in the evolution to an all-IP network, which is necessary to support the rapid growth and cost-efficiency of network capacity and coverage.

This network expansion will extend XL’s footprint and enable it to address the ever-increasing need for mobile communications and broadband services in Indonesia.

Ericsson’s relationship with XL began in 1996 when it was first awarded the contract for GSM 900 in Jakarta and surrounding areas, followed by an expansion of the network to the rest of Java, Bali, and Lombok.

XL, a subsidiary of Telekom Malaysia (TM), is one of the leading telecom companies in Indonesia. It started commercial operations in 1996 and currently provides dual band cellular networks through pre-paid and post-paid cards. The Business Solutions unit of XL is a provider of leased line, broadband and IP (Internet Protocol)-based corporate solutions. In September 2006, XL launched XL 3G, the first fastest and widest cellular telecommunication services based on 3G technology. TM is the company’s controlling majority shareholder with 67% ownership.