Fashion
Net1 Indonesia, a 4G LTE mobile data broadband provider, has announced its availability in 10 exotic tourism destinations in Indonesia. This aims to provide sufficient internet access for those who are traveling back to hometown and spending long holiday. By providing 4G LTE service in tourism destinations, especially those in remote area, Net1 Indonesia hopes to help people to share their holiday story and photos through social media.
The ten destinations covered by Net1 Indonesia are Samosir Island in North Sumatera, Takengon Fresh Sea Lake in Aceh, Tiu Kelep Waterfall in Lombok – West Nusa Tenggara, Tanjung Kelayang Beach in Belitung, Situ Cileunca in Pangalengan – West Java, Tanjung Bira in Bulukumba – South Sulawesi, Bukittinggi in West Sumatra, Gili Trawangan in Lombok, Karimun Jawa Island in Central Java, and Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara. Some of these destinations have been included in “10 new Bali,” a program released by the government through the Ministry of Tourism.
“The existence of Net1 Indonesia in those 10 tourism spots with adequate 4G LTE based internet access is to facilitate the travelers and tourists to stay in touch with family and friends, yet still exist in social media. The connection provision in those spots is also reflecting our commitment to support the government programs to boosting the tourism industry through the brand of Wonderful Indonesia,” said Larry Ridwan, Chief Executive Officer of Net1 Indonesia.
Further, Larry highlights that the availability of internet connection will leverage the tourism spots in order to be noticed and widely known by international publics. Thus, with adequate internet connection, visitors can help to expose and popularize those new destinations.
“Travelers, especially millennials, cannot be separated from their smartphone and 4G data connections, they will stay exist during their trip to hometown and the whole long holiday. They usually share photos of food or unique tourist spots through social media. In line with this trend, Net1 Indonesia is triggered to expand its coverage in tourism destinations especially in rural areas,” Larry added.
Net1 Indonesia’s effort to expand the coverage area in tourism destinations is also reflected by conducting digital activity #MauAda4Gdimana from 7 May to 7 July 2018. This digital activity is pursuing the society to be actively involved in voting a certain locations to get covered by Net1 4G LTE services. Participants who are interested in joining this activity can open microsite, then choose the location in the provided column then simply click VOTE.
The development of destinations in Indonesia has driven investment growth in the tourism sector. According to data from the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) of the Republic of Indonesia, the investment in this sector in 2017 has increased by 31 percent, or valued at US$1.7 billion and is targeted to reach US$2 billion by end of this year. Indonesia’s tourism sector is projected to contribute 15 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), valued at IDR280 trillion for foreign exchange with 20 million of foreign tourist arrivals, 275 million of domestic tourists travel and able to absorb 13 million work force by 2019.
Tourism is mentioned to be one of sectors with potential investment growth this year beside e-commerce. Indonesia’s tourism is considered to be the most sustainable commodity yet reaching to the lowest level of society. This sectors is rapidly growing compared to other leading commodities, among others are oil & gas, coal, and palm oil. Furthermore, the tourism sector will grow more economic centers throughout the country.
Based on data from The World Economic Forum, Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness is continuously making positive leap from the ranks 70th in 2013 to 50th in 2015. In 2017, Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness index has climbed 8 places to 42th and is targeted to reach the 30th position by 2018.
Collaborate with Local Governments
Blessed with natural resources and regional cultures is a motivation for Indonesia to grow the tourism sector by increasing tourists visits, both from domestic and foreign. The local governments, starting from province to the lower level, districts and cities, are having the same spirit to develop tourism destinations in their regions. They aim to reach the target of 17 million foreign tourists visit this year and will increase to 20 million tourists by 2019.
The commitment of Net1 Indonesia to support the tourism program, especially in the provision of 4G LTE broadband data access is reflected by the cooperation with a number of local governments ranging from City, District, to Province in Indonesia. So far, Musi Banyuasin Regency (MuBa), West Halmahera Regency, Talaud Islands Regency, Tual City, Siau Tagulandang Islands District Biaro (Sitaro), Sangihe Islands Regency, Bintuni Bay District and Kaimana Regency have signed Memorandum of Understanding with Net1 Indonesia to build 4G LTE-based communications infrastructure, including in tourism destinations.
The characteristics of 450 MHz low frequency, which able to reach wide coverage than the higher bands, is providing benefits for Net1 Indonesia and the local government when they have to build telecommunication infrastructure such as Base Transceiver Station (BTS) as Net1 Indonesia only need one BTS to cover radius 100 kilometers area. Another advantage of the 4G LTE 450 MHz technology is its ability to support the launch of machine-to-machine (M2M) communication services in rural settings, such as video surveillance, telemetry, and tracking.
