Minister: 4G Network Remains Key to National Economy Backbone

Minister of Communications and Informatics Johnny G. Plate emphasized that the 4G and 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks will continue to be the backbone of the national economy.

According to the Minister of Communication and Information, the existence of a 4G network is still needed, and even infrastructure development will continue to be carried out for areas that have not been reached by the internet, especially 3T areas, namely frontier, remote and underdeveloped.

“The 4G network will remain the backbone of the national economy, especially in the 3T region. The task of cellular operators is to build infrastructure in the 3T area so that 4G is available there," said the Minister of Communication and Information at the Launch of Telkomsel's 5G Service in Surakarta, Central Java, Thursday (03/06/2021).

Minister Johnny explained that Indonesia uses 4G and 5G networks simultaneously or together. This was done because digital transformation in Indonesia currently also relies on 4G networks.

“While innovating with 5G, the government continues to build infrastructure for equitable distribution of 4G networks. Both networks must develop strongly," he explained.

The Minister of Communication and Informatics also reminded the public to use this fifth generation fast internet network for wireless cellular technology for positive things. "The use of 5G in the country according to him must be controlled by Indonesia, to ensure the sustainability of the digital economy, digital culture, digital society and digital government," he said.

Minister Johnny emphasized that the government adheres to a neutral technology policy for 5G, which is to provide opportunities for cellular operators to choose technology in developing these advanced technology services.

"Cellular operators are expected to choose the right fifth-generation network applied technology, to be efficient both in terms of infrastructure and operations," he said.

President Director of PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk Hendri Mulya Syam said the construction of the 5G network was carried out by looking at the potential in big cities in Indonesia.

With this 5G service, according to Hendri, the central and local governments can use it to improve productive sectors such as industry, tourism, finance, information technology, to defense and security.

"We will look forward to the 5G potential that we can build, which is in accordance with the government's desire to build Industry 4.0," he said.