Sitra WiMAX launched Indonesia’s first 4G network on June 28, 2010. Users in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi, Banten area, Northern Sumatra and Aceh area can now experience the fastest wireless speeds on the commercial market.
“We are proud to announce the First Media can provide the first WiMAX-based services in Indonesia,” said Hengkie Liwanto, President Director of PT First Media Tbk.
First Media was granted a tender from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology in July 2009, securing a license in the 2.3 GHz frequency to develop WiMAX. The services will begin in July with expansion planned to other parts of the country. First Media invested $50 million initially and will invest up to $350 million for this deployment.
First Media is on record as saying LTE hasn’t matured yet and is still an unknown, that’s why they chose WiMAX over the other 4G technology. It’s a strong endorsement for WiMAX because it helps grow the WiMAX market in Asia Pacific. APAC is quickly becoming an important area for the development of 4G technology.