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Minister of Communication and Information Encourages Productive Internet Use

` Waingapu, NTT | March 10, 2020 Minister of Communication and Informatics Johnny Gerard Plate urged the public to use the internet for productive activities, including digital-based economic activities.

"The public must ensure that the internet is used for digital-based economic activities. The Indonesian nation must be able to transform itself into a society accustomed to digitalization," he said while inspecting the Palapa Ring Network Operation Center (NOC) in Waingapu, East Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Saturday (December 21, 2019).

According to the Minister of Communication and Informatics, the public can use social media as a marketing and sales channel for their respective regional flagship products. "Global trade trends are moving towards a broad system. Furthermore, utilizing marketplaces in digital applications also presents an opportunity for business actors," he said.

Minister Johnny's visit aimed to ensure that the development of telecommunications and information infrastructure is beneficial for the digital economy in eastern Indonesia. On that occasion, the Minister of Communication and Informatics asked regional governments to encourage the public to use the internet more productively.

"Regional governments are also obliged to participate in encouraging communities to be more productive and efficient with internet access. Moreover, the marketing and sales system for regional products must gradually shift from offline to digital networks," he explained.

Minister Johnny explained that the construction of the Palapa Ring is the government's effort to provide equitable internet access throughout Indonesia. "Palapa Ring is an infrastructure network that has not yet reached its end, a new opportunity for operators to expand internet access," he said.

According to the Minister of Communication and Informatics, the government is currently preparing the Great Indonesia Satellite (Satria) for very remote areas not yet covered by the Palapa Ring fiber optic cable network.

"As a result, all regions of Indonesia are ready to receive equitable internet access. Palapa Ring and Satria are Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects," explained Minister Johnny.

Deputy Regent of East Sumba, Umbu Lili Pekuwali, explained that the presence of the Palapa Ring supports local governments and communities. "The community can benefit from the internet technology being developed to promote ikat weaving domestically or market it directly abroad," he explained.

Deputy Regent Umbu also highlighted that not all areas in East Sumba have access to internet access. "Currently, two of the 22 sub-districts in East Sumba still lack adequate communication networks. Approximately 40 other villages still need internet access," he said.

PT Palapa Timur Telematika (PTT) Project Leader Benyamin Sembiring explained that the construction of the East Palapa Ring is more challenging than the West Palapa Ring and Central Palapa Ring. "It requires 4,500 kilometers of submarine cables to complement the 2,400 kilometers of fiber optic cable in the area. PTT is the Implementing Business Entity (BUP) for the commercialization of Palapa Ring," he explained.

According to Benyamin, the completion of the East Palapa Ring in August 2019 marked the completion of the entire Palapa Ring infrastructure. "The potential for internet use in eastern Indonesia is still enormous. We are now entering a trial period for interested operators," said Benyamin.

News & photo source: Kominfo