XLSMART is moving quickly to strengthen its 5G network in Kalimantan as digital demand rises around the future capital area. The expansion is aimed at more than wider coverage, with a stronger focus on stable connectivity for residents, businesses, and public digital services.
The strategy matters because Kalimantan now sits at the center of a major network expansion. As IKN develops into the future seat of government, the need for high-grade digital infrastructure is rising alongside smart-city planning and new economic activity in eastern Indonesia.
Network scale and 5G deployment
In Kalimantan, XLSMART operates more than 27,000 Base Transceiver Stations, or BTS, serving users across 55 cities and regencies. For 5G services, the company has already deployed more than 300 BTS 5G units in Balikpapan and Banjarmasin.
Regional Group Head Kalimantan XLSMART, Sarroso Dwi Panggah, said the company wants to become the operator most loved by customers. He added that improving signal quality and reach across Kalimantan is one of the main ways to achieve that goal.
Usage growth is pushing the network harder
The push is also designed to improve the online experience for everyday users. XLSMART is targeting a network that is faster, more stable, and more dependable so it can support digital transformation in both urban life and business activity.
The company sees the network upgrade as more than a geographic expansion. It views the effort as a way to improve real user experience and help the digital economy in Kalimantan grow more inclusively.
After the technical consolidation process was completed, the impact reportedly began to show in several areas. The operational footprint now reaches new settlement points, while voice quality and data transfer in many locations are said to be clearer and broader than before.
Demand for high-speed internet is also helping drive use of the 5G network. With 5G BTS operating in Balikpapan and Banjarmasin, communication, entertainment, remote education, and business productivity can run with low latency.
Traffic data trends reflect that demand. Data traffic in the April to May 2026 period rose 12 percent compared with the previous months, driven by heavy use of interactive video applications and social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
Premium data packages for heavier 5G use
To support that appetite, XLSMART has launched the XL ULTRA 5G+ premium data package. The product comes in several large-capacity variants with bonus data, calling benefits, and premium entertainment access for users who need more from a 5G network.
| Variant | Price | Data Allowance | Main Bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|
| XL ULTRA 5G+ 65GB | Rp100.000 | 65GB | 100 minutes of calls, unlimited to the same group, Vidio Platinum or Disney+ |
| XL ULTRA 5G+ 150GB | Rp150.000 | 150GB | 150 minutes of calls, unlimited to the same group, Vidio Platinum or Disney+ |
| XL ULTRA 5G+ 300GB | Rp200.000 | 300GB | 200 minutes of calls, unlimited to the same group, Vidio Platinum or Disney+ |
| XL ULTRA 5G+ 600GB | Rp300.000 | 600GB | 300 minutes of calls, unlimited to the same group, Vidio Platinum or Disney+ |
Each package also includes roaming access in 9 countries, bonus cross-operator calls, unlimited calls within the XL, AXIS, and Smartfren ecosystem, and access to Vidio Platinum or Disney+.
Long-term investment remains in focus
XLSMART says it will continue to invest capital in Kalimantan. That investment direction includes optimizing signal capacity, expanding coverage zones, and adding new 5G transmitter points.
Nationally, the company’s infrastructure is supported by more than 253,000 BTS across Indonesia. The network runs on a fiber-optic backbone and serves more than 69 million customers from Sabang to Merauke.
XLSMART was formed through the merger of PT XL Axiata Tbk, PT Smartfren Telecom Tbk, and PT Smart Telecom. With the spirit of innovation with heart, the company is positioning Kalimantan as a key region for strengthening digital connectivity and supporting economic acceleration around IKN.
