Heaptalk, Jakarta – President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo officialized the 4,988 4G BTS that have been constructed in the 3T regions, on Thursday (28/12). This initiation was centralized in the North Bowombaru BTS, Talaud Islands Regency, North Sulawesi Province..
In the government official statement, Minister of Communication and Informatics Budi Arie said the 4G BTS is built in order to accelerate the digital connectivity in the 3T regions.
“The 4G BTS development is an evident attempt to support the acceleration of the digital transformation in Indonesia and to realize the telecommunications equality to the remote areas of the country,” explained Minister Budi Arie during his press release.
The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) through Public Service Agency Information Telecommunications Accessibility Agency (BAKTI) built the 4G BTS in two phases. The first one succeeded in 2020 with the total of BTS establishment in the 1.682 locations and the entire of it has migrated to 4G network services in the same year.
“Then, starting from 2021, the second phase construction in 5.618 locations is then divided into two phases, with the first phase taking place in 2021 in 4.112 locations and second phase in 2022 in 1.506 locations. The establishment is focused on the 3T regions with the majority of 76% located in East Indonesia, namely Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, and Papua,” Minister Budi Arie elaborated.
As of 26 December 2023, the entirety of 4G BTS has been on-air for 1.682 locations. Meanwhile for the second phase, the total of 4.990 locations have been put on-air from the whole target.
“628 locations are not yet on air with the majority being caused by the security status in Papua and the difficulties in mobilizing materials to the location,” added the Minister.
In order to finish the completion, Kominfo put coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs and local government to find a wise solution. Minister Budi Arie hoped the effect of 4G BTS operations can be experienced directly by the community in the 3T area.
“With the internet access, public services that have been done by the government are hoped to optimally reach wide citizens. Hopefully, citizens in the 3T region can experience the benefit of BTS on hand so there will be no digital welfare inequality in our nation anymore,” Budi Arie explained with hope.
Financial for the construction of 4G BTS can from the State Budget Allocation and Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) which is managed by BAKTI of the Ministry of Communication and Information.
“To accelerate the equalization of digital infrastructure, BAKTI of the Ministry of Communication and Information continues its contract with its former partner to operate 4G BTS in the 3T region,” concluded Budi Arie.
Editor: Wulan Dari, Prazna Alyfia Ghefira
