"XL Home POW" is XL Axiata's Effort to Disturb Home Broadband Market

XL Axiata is getting serious at home broadband business by launching XL Home POW. The service offers fiber optic-based home internet with speed up to 300 Mbps for Rp300,000 per month. Ordering process starts online from May 2nd. At the beginning, Home Pow is only available in Jabodetabek. POW branding shows that it's meant to disturb the market.

The rumor on XL to join the fixed broadband business is gaining traction since early this year. The urge of diversification, since telco business is slowing down, push XL further to enter this segment.

Last year, XL has sold its e-commerce service, Elevenia, to Salim Group.

Abhijit Navalekar, XL's Director of Corporate Strategy & Business Development, said to DailySocial, as a telecom company, it's natural for XL to expand to fixed broadband business as it's still an infrastructure business.

XL Home already offered the wireless-based home broadband solution last year, but this year, Home Pow tried to provide the complete solution. They assure the fiber optic network will reach last mile (house). Navalekar defines Home Pow as the combination of fiber optic and wireless internet, depend on the network availability.

Currently, Home Pow is focused on home-based customers, but it's open for market expansion to the SOHO and corporate segment in the future.

Android's Oreo set top box

XL Home Pow offers a low-cost package compared to the competitors. There are no other services offering a 300 Mbps package at that price. Generally, for the package with similar speed, it'll be at least Rp1 million per month.

This package includes Android's Oreo set top box with Google's official license. Customers will also get free access to iFlix and some other live channels (including Kompas TV, Sport Illustrated, e-Sports)

There are also 30 days free access for Netflix and trial for CatchPlay. Home Pow also partners with Indonesia's nxl to support local e-sport.

The service guarantees children-friendly KidzMode and voice-search function using remote control supported by over 30 languages as its features.

Without revealing the budget spending and target number, he ensures its seriousness by creating a dedicated team to take care of technical service and customer service.

"New product that will be available on 2 May 2018, is the answer for customers' massive complaints about the unsatisfying internet service all over Indonesia. Supported by our fiber-optic network quality, in addition to the top-speed internet, XL Home POW has other benefits, such as Android TV Cable with the latest technology," Navalekar explained.

– Original article is in Indonesian, translated by Kristin Siagian