Kominfo stated, 5G has been tested for several programs in Indonesia. Minister Johnny Plate also revealed the progress of developing this advanced technology.
Several countries have implemented the fifth generation internet network, aka 5G. Japan and China are even preparing to adopt 6G. In Indonesia, the Minister of Communication and Information (Kominfo) Johnny Plate said the government had tested this technology.
“The trial is related to remote learning through holographic interaction, remote operation, internet of things (IoT) for smart cities and autonomous vehicles during the 2018 Asian Games,” said Johnny at the International Virtual Conference: Indonesia 5G Roadmap and Digital Transformation’, Thursday (10/12). This year, the ministry is focusing on testing the possibility of coexistence between 5G networks and Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) for use in the 3.5 GHz band. This is one step to accelerate the allocation of 5G spectrum.
This step is considered important to meet the needs of the 2,047 MHz frequency spectrum in the utilization of broadband cellular networks, both 4G and 5G at all layers in 2024.
“It’s very important to plant and grow this 5G spectrum again,” he said. While the broadband candidates to be used for 5G are listed in the table below:
In addition to spectrum, the government plans to make optimal use of the microwave link. “This is because the very high frequency of e-band (70-80 GHz) and v-band (60 GHz) can serve high-capacity backhaul for broadband services,” he said. Microwave link is the second option after fiber optic or fiber cables. This is because fiberization costs a lot.
Johnny realizes that implementing a 5G network will require large capital expenditures, especially for the provision of small-cell densification 5G and a sophisticated digital ecosystem. Therefore, the government regulates the sharing of telecommunications infrastructure in the Employment Creation Omnibus Law.
“This will create the ultimate efficiency coupled with passive share. This sharing applies to infrastructure and active networks,” he said. In addition, he considered that the country’s new capital city was the best and potential candidate to implement the first 5G in the country. “It is also possible for industrial estates and public areas with high traffic to adopt 5G,” said Johnny. He said that the 5G network will become a game changer with a broad impact on connectivity in the archipelago. This technology is also considered to be the backbone of digital transformation. and the main driver of economic growth.
“We have to work hard to carry out the great task of adopting new technology. This is to increase productivity through 5G networks in the near future,” he said.
On the one hand, the government is also focusing on expanding 4G coverage. Currently, there are 12,548 villages that do not have 4G internet access. In detail, 9,113 villages belong to underdeveloped, frontier and outermost areas (3T), while the other 3,435 are outside the area.
Previously, the Director General of Resources and Equipment for Post and Information Technology at the Ministry of Communications and Informatics, Ismail, stated that he could not guarantee that 5G would be available in three years. “It depends on the readiness of many things such as the ecosystem, use (usecase) and monetization, frequency, and others,” he told Katadata.co.id, last September (29/9). He mentioned, there are four challenges that must be overcome in the development of 5G in Indonesia. First, cable fiberization or efforts to modernize the network by connecting BTS via fiber lines. For that, BTS devices must be updated. In addition, the device that sends the microwave signal on the cable is converted into optical fiber. Without fiberization, internet speed with the implementation of 5G will not be optimal. “There will be a slowdown or bottlenecking in each operator’s network, so that people do not get the maximum benefits of 5G,” he said.
He doesn’t want to repeat the same mistakes from implementing 2G to 4G. Therefore, infrastructure, including fiber networks, needs to be prepared first before implementing 5G. “Fiberization is a crucial issue,” he said.
Second, harmonization of regulations with local governments (Pemda). Mainly, to provide more convenience and flexibility to telecommunication operators in accessing poles, channels, and buildings when building a 5G network. Third, frequency.
Finally, examine the right ecosystem to use 5G, one of which is in industrial areas.