XLSmart Expands 5G Network After Winning Frequency Auction
Surabaya, CNBC Indonesia - XLSmart has recently acquired the 2.6 GHz frequency spectrum from an official auction announced some time ago.
This frequency will be utilised to accelerate the expansion of the 5G network, which began implementation in early August.
“Essentially, we are investing so heavily with the new spectrum we have acquired, it is going straight on. As of 5 August, we were given permission to turn on the new spectrum,” said Shurish Subbramaniam, Director and Chief Technology Officer of XLSmart, during the XLSmart Media Gathering in Surabaya, East Java, on Friday (4/9/2026).
Within approximately three weeks, the company subsequently activated the 2.6 GHz spectrum across all its 5G sites.
“Within 3 weeks, everything was turned on. All 5G sites on the 2.6 GHz network are now active,” he added.
The company now aims to have 5G services available in 101 cities/regencies by the end of 2026, an increase from its previous target of 88 cities/regencies.
“We have agreed to expand to 101 cities. New cities, such as Lombok and Malang, will be activated before the end of this year. This expansion will continue into next year,” said Shurish.
On the same occasion, Merza Fachys, Director and Chief Regulatory Officer of XLSmart, stated that the company does not want 5G development to focus solely on specific isolated points.
According to him, once a city is declared to have 5G services, the company aims for more comprehensive coverage.
“We are not just placing 5G patches merely to claim that we have 5G. But truly, 5G and 4G must exist at the same level,” said Merza.
As of the first semester of 2026, XLSmart’s 5G services have been present in more than 50 cities.
The network is supported by approximately 15,000 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), with a national population coverage of around 23 percent.
Merza noted that the initial target of 88 cities/regencies by the end of the year is expected to reach more than 50 percent of the population.
XLSmart has also increased its 2026 capital expenditure (capex) guidance from Rp15 trillion to Rp20 trillion.
This investment will be used to support the operation of more than 265,000 BTS, the expansion of 5G, and the utilisation of the new spectrum.