Collaborating with Tony Blair, Kominfo Prepares Internet Network Expansion Project

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change will provide input to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology program.

KOMPAS/MEDIANA

(Front, left to right) Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was welcomed by the Director General of Information Application at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo), Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan, upon his arrival at the Kominfo office on Friday (19/4/2024).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi met with British Prime Minister 1997–2007 Tony Blair in Jakarta, Friday (19/4/2024). The meeting discussed national data center cooperation, the need to expand internet connectivity, digital population identity, and the regulatory framework for artificial intelligence.

The conversation between Budi and Blair lasted for 30 minutes, from around 4 pm to 4:30 pm. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology's office.

In a press conference after the meeting, Budi stated that Blair, through the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), will provide input towards the national data center program, the need for nationwide internet connectivity expansion, and digital identity. TBI's input will be based on case studies, especially from countries that have already implemented similar programs.

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The meeting took place after Budi indicated that there would be a trial of the low orbit telecommunications satellite Starlink in the capital city of the archipelago (IKN). TBI is providing support for this trial by providing a number of Starlink devices which will be installed at various locations in IKN.

Starlink is a low-orbit telecommunications satellite operated by the SpaceX rocket company founded by billionaire Elon Musk.

KOMPAS/MEDIANA

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair met with Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi at the Ministry of Communication and Information office, Jakarta, Friday (19/4/2024).

In her press release, Country Director of TBI Indonesia Shuhaela Haqim expressed support for the Starlink trial in IKN. This is also part of TBI Indonesia's commitment to realizing Indonesia's vision as an advanced digital nation.

"This is also in line with the Indonesian government's agenda to make Indonesia a more resilient nation, by promoting the acceleration of digital transformation as one of the main policy pillars in Indonesia at present," he said.

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Blair did not take part in the press conference with Budi. Accompanying Budi from the leadership ranks of Kominfo are Deputy Minister of Communication and Information Nezar Patria and Director General of Information Applications Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan.

During his two-day visit to Jakarta, Blair held a meeting with President Joko Widodo at the State Palace beforehand. He also met with Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto at the Ministry of Defense office.

MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA HARI INI MELALUI AP

SpaceX launched the Starlink communication satellite with a Falcon 9 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Launch Station in Florida, USA, captured from Cocoa Beach, Florida, on June 13, 2020.

Nezar Patria stated that the government wants to expand internet connectivity to all regions in Indonesia. Starlink satellite is just one example of technology that needs to be studied to see if it is suitable or not to support connectivity expansion.

"Tony Blair and TBI staff and we discussed a number of telecommunications technology options at the meeting, not just Starlink," he said.

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According to Nezar, TBI has been playing a role as supervision or technical assistant and has been building networks with digital industry ecosystem players in the UK. In addition to discussing national data center case support, national connectivity expansion needs, and digital identity, Blair through TBI will also help formulate a regulatory framework for artificial intelligence that is suitable for implementation in Indonesia.

"Up until now, Indonesia only has the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Circular Letter Number 9 of 2023 concerning the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. Tony Blair shares the same concerns as us regarding the risks of generative artificial intelligence. TBI has 1,000 talented individuals who develop or study the impact of generative artificial intelligence from several countries," said Nezar.