EXCL - To accelerate subsea cable installation

EXCL - To accelerate subsea cable installation XL Axiata (EXCL) has put installation of submarine communication cable (SKKL) infrastructure which becomes backbone of internet infrastructure on acceleration as it eyes to conclude it by 2H23 or year-end. Facebook and Google have rolled out two subsea cable (SKKL) systems, namely BiFrost and Echo, which is built under META- EXCL- Google consortium. The SKKL Echo will be spanning 15,000Kms connecting across Northern America- Indonesia and Singapore. (Source: Bisnis Indonesia) Comment: The installation of infrastructure including submarine cables is crucial to ensure smooth data connectivity, allowing EXCL to deliver huge data capacity in a rapid manner. This will improve EXCL's service excellence which supports its customer retention. Indonesia's Subsea Communication Association (Askalsi) reported a 30% increase of capacity demand in 2Q23, indicating massive growth of digital adoption. On top of that, EXCL's consortium on subsea installation will enrich subsea's infrastructure that previously solely controlled by TLKM. Meanwhile, EXCL will earmark IDR8 tn in capex for this year mostly on infrastructure including subsea cables.