COUNTRY FOCUS : INDONESIA ultimately empower policymakers and administration officials , providing much-needed flexibility during the on-going global crisis .
What other solutions and initiatives have you introduced amid the pandemic ?
The rise in remote working due to COVID-19 has accelerated demand for greater online functionality .
When COVID-19 hit our shores , Indonesians were strongly advised to stay home . Indosat Ooredoo spotted the opportunity to introduce Voice over LTE ( VoLTE ) services in more than 30 cities across the nation , enabling better connectivity through simultaneous calls and Internet usage , and reducing the distance between loved ones through ‘ HD voice ’ quality .
NetFoundry expands the capabilities of Indosat Ooredoo ’ s IoT , SaaS and Network- As-a-Service ( Naas ) offerings . Further , this partnership allows us to tap on NetFoundry ’ s links to AWS , Google and Microsoft Azure , progressing the way in which users can access and operate within the cloud .
Additionally , we expanded our digital capabilities by launching Indosat Ooredoo ’ s Digital Assistant ( INDIRA ) and an official WhatsApp service for IM3 Ooredoo customers . Both channels allow customers to perform simple tasks from home – for example , research product information , top up credit , pay bills , buy packages and easily submit enquiries . These services have complemented Indosat Ooredoo ’ s other selfservice offerings , while also encouraging customers to limit physical interactions where possible .
Indosat Ooredoo is always seeking to innovate and provide the best digital experience . We hope that our solutions will continue to bring convenience and enjoyment to our customers , especially amid a pandemic .
What is the role of strategic partnerships in helping Indosat Ooredoo bring innovative solutions to the Indonesian market ?
Indosat Ooredoo has entered several strategic partnerships over the last few years to meet market needs and bring us closer to our vision of becoming Indonesia ’ s leading digital telecommunications provider .
In March 2020 , we collaborated with the Telecom Infra Project ( TIP ) and the GSMA to deploy OpenRAN technology in Indonesia to encourage cost effectiveness and accelerate digital equity . We hope that this on-going partnership will allow us to build a local ecosystem that can further sustain the development and deployment of innovative and costeffective solutions for Indonesian operators , as well as contribute towards driving the socio-economic development for Indonesia .
Our partnership with NetFoundry has also been integral in bringing innovation to the Indonesian market . As leaders in cloud-native networking ,
During COVID-19 , these developments have helped many customers set up remote working through a reliable and secure network .
What do you see next for the Indonesian market ?
Indonesia is one of the largest and fastest-developing emerging markets in the world and is Southeast Asia ’ s biggest digital economy . Due to the geographical spread of its population there is a growing demand for reliable and affordable Internet connectivity in urban and rural areas , especially as data usage surpasses traditional calling and texting services . Additionally , the rise in remote working due to COVID-19 has accelerated demand for greater online functionality .
As the Indonesian market adapts to new challenges , telecommunications providers must grow their digital offerings to ensure future-proofing , keep up with consumer demand and maintain users with lifetime value . New technologies such as 5G may also provide new growth opportunities for wholesale and consumer services .
What are Indosat Ooredoo ’ s plans for 2021 ?
Despite the on-going global economic slowdown and intense competition , we are pleased to have recorded solid financial performance in the third quarter of 2020 with + 3.0 % revenue growth quarter on quarter . In the same period , we also rolled out 1,929 new sites and gained 3.18 million customers , setting the company up well for our next growth phase .
Looking ahead to 2021 , we will continue to simplify our product offerings , customer journeys and network experience , and hope to build on our ambition to become Indonesia ’ s leading digital telecommunications provider . p
www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO APAC 51