The Palapa Ring network can be fully utilized only with supporting infrastructure.
By
·3 minutes read
BATAM, KOMPAS — Following the Palapa Ring’s completion, regional administrations are awaiting the establishment of support infrastructure. The Palapa Ring network can be fully utilized only with supporting infrastructure.
President Joko Widodo inaugurated the Palapa Ring at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday (14/10/2019). In its entirety, the Palapa Ring network, comprising West, Central and East packages, connect 90 regencies/cities, comprising 57 service locations and 33 interconnection locations. The total length of land and sea fiber optic cables is 12,148 kilometers. The Palapa Ring also includes a microwave system.
Anambas Islands Regent Abdul Haris said in Riau Islands on Tuesday (15/10) the Palapa Ring should be optimized in his region so that people living far away from cities could enjoy good internet services.
Riau Islands Communication and Information Agency head Zulhendri said the provincial administration would push telecommunication operators to establish other infrastructure components. Through cooperation, optimization of the West Palapa Ring’s reach to remote regions can be accelerated.
In the inauguration event at the State Palace, the President said the government would build 4,000 base transceiver stations (BTS) next year to support the Palapa Ring. Most of the stations will be in eastern Indonesia.
Indonesia Telecommunication Providers Association (ATSI) chair Ririek Adriansyah said many infrastructure components to complement the backbone network were required to provide telecommunication access.
Hindered
Regent Abdul Haris said internet services in his region remained inadequate, resulting in locals’ inability to tap into local tourism opportunities. Tourists are often reluctant to revisit Anambas Islands due to limited internet connection with the outside world in the region.
Abdul said limited internet access also made it difficult for local village administrations to implement internet-based village fund management. “Let’s not talk about economic welfare. The technology needed for it is not even available here,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Central Kalimantan provincial administration voiced hope that the Palapa Ring would lead to easier and faster internet access. This would support efforts to establish smart cities, marked by the installation of around 160 CCTVs at ports and bridges over large rivers in Palangkaraya and other cities. Good internet connection is also necessary to implement government e-services.
Head of Pattimura University’s center of business and economic studies, IzaacTonnyMatitaputty, said in Ambon, Maluku, that the Palapa Ring would hopefully help locals enjoy cheaper internet services. This would help small and medium enterprise owners to promote their products and locals to promote tourism.
The East Kalimantan provincial administration pledged to push for a digital-based people’s economy through the Palapa Ring. East Kalimantan Governor Isran Noor said the Palapa Ring would connect more people through the internet.
In Jakarta, Financial Services Authority’s (OJK) board of commissioners’ consumer protection division member TirtaSegara said the Palapa Ring would accelerate financial inclusion throughout Indonesia. (SAH/DIM/FRN/NDU/CIP/FLO/IDO)