Average customer data consumption in East Java has reached 25 GB per month, according to XLSmart. The company also recorded a 6 percent rise in data traffic from the same period a year earlier, underscoring growing pressure on network capacity.
To address that demand, XLSmart has expanded its 5G blanket coverage to eight cities and regencies in East Java. The rollout is intended to provide a more consistent connection as customers move through high-mobility areas.
The network expansion comes as cloud services, AI applications, video conferencing, streaming, and digital payments require more capacity and lower latency. These demands affect daily learning, work, online sales, and business operations.
Areas Covered by the 5G Rollout
| Area | Administrative Type | Implementation Status |
|---|---|---|
| Surabaya | City | 5G Blanket Coverage |
| Sidoarjo | Regency | 5G Blanket Coverage |
| Gresik | Regency | 5G Blanket Coverage |
| Bangkalan | Regency | 5G Blanket Coverage |
| Pamekasan | Regency | 5G Blanket Coverage |
| Sampang | Regency | 5G Blanket Coverage |
| Sumenep | Regency | 5G Blanket Coverage |
| Tuban | Regency | 5G Blanket Coverage |
Surabaya was the first city to adopt the blanket coverage concept before the service was extended to the other seven areas. Rather than concentrating coverage at selected points, the approach seeks to make 5G availability more even across a broader area.
That distinction matters for users who experience a decline in connection quality while travelling between locations. A more continuous network can support high-resolution video, online gaming with lower latency, remote learning, and large-file transfers.
Network Capacity Behind the Expansion
XLSmart’s infrastructure in East Java is supported by more than 29,000 base transceiver stations, most of them 4G sites. Around 2,100 are 5G BTS, which have served all regencies and cities across the province.
Suara.com reported that the capacity reinforcement is part of the company’s strategy to build a digital foundation in East Java. The province has been identified as a priority area because digital demand is growing across industry, education, trade, and small businesses.
For businesses, more reliable connectivity can support cashless transactions, marketplace activity, digital marketing, and cloud-based collaboration. The infrastructure also creates room for wider digital technology use in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, ports, trade, education, and tourism.
Regional Group Head XLSmart Area Jawa Timur Dodik Ariyanto said demand for digital services in the region continues to rise. “Because of that, we continue to improve network quality and expand the implementation of 5G Blanket Coverage so customers can enjoy an internet experience that is increasingly fast, stable, and consistent,” he said.
Preparing for New Digital Demand
Head of Regional Technical Network XLSmart Moch. Irwan Harahap said connection quality is an important factor in accelerating the adoption of digital technology. He said a quality network can create more opportunities for people to learn, work, create, and develop businesses.
XLSmart said it will continue to increase network capacity and extend 5G blanket coverage in strategic areas. The effort is aimed at preparing infrastructure for the expansion of AI, the Internet of Things, cloud services, and the digital economy.
The rollout therefore goes beyond a speed upgrade for individual customers. It is also intended to strengthen network consistency for a province where digital activity is expanding across multiple sectors and locations.
