Jartatel Pushes for Cost Efficiency in Network Relocation

The Fixed Telecommunications Network Association (Jartatel) has been officially established as a platform for telecommunications companies to synergise in facing various field challenges, particularly the increasing number of network relocations across different regions. Jartatel Chairman Raymond Hubertus stated that the association’s formation aims to accommodate industry players’ aspirations while acting as a government partner in supporting telecommunications infrastructure planning. “Our members are all licensed telecommunications companies, so we hope to create synergy between the government’s mission and the business interests of the telecommunications industry,” Raymond said after the association’s declaration in Jakarta on Friday.

Raymond explained that a primary focus of the association is to assist members in dealing with the rising need for network relocations, driven by cable and infrastructure planning programmes in various areas. This effort is also intended to protect company assets while maintaining service quality for customers. He emphasised that Jartatel supports the government’s efforts to achieve a more orderly and well-planned telecommunications infrastructure. According to him, telecommunications companies also want to play an active role in proposing cable management strategies so that the need for relocation can be minimised from the outset. “We fully support the clean-up programme. We will tell the government that we have a cable management strategy. So, before the public complains, we have already taken action,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jartatel Secretary General Sony Setiadi noted that current network relocation costs range from Rp70,000 to Rp200,000 per metre, creating a significant burden for telecommunications businesses. “The relocation costs can be from Rp70,000 to Rp200,000 per metre, and that is quite difficult for members,” he said. “As an initial step, we have managed to reduce costs by almost 50 percent from the lowest current price. This is truly to help members because we are not vendors or contractors, but telecommunications companies that are directly affected.” He added that the need for network relocation occurs in almost all regions of Indonesia because each area has different policies regarding cable and infrastructure planning. Consequently, Jartatel plans to form task forces in various cities to carry out regular network tidying programmes as a preventive measure before relocation becomes the last resort. “We will take preventive action, carrying out tidying up of both cables and poles in the field. Relocation is only the last option,” Sony said.