COVID-19 Does Not Hinder Indosat Ooredoo From Launching The Nusantara Dua Satellite

JAKARTA - The corona virus pandemic has not discouraged Indosat Ooredoo from launching the Nusantara Dua Satellite into Earth orbit this year. This satellite will replace Palapa-D to serve the needs of broadband internet access and high-quality broadcasting services.

This Nusantara Dua satellite is the result of a collaboration between Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN) and Indosat Ooredoo and Pintar Nusantara Sejahtera (PNS). The cooperation of the three companies has actually been carried out since 2017.

"The Nusantara Dua Satellite Program is our long-term program and is a form of the company's commitment to customers throughout Indonesia," said PSNS President Director Johanes Indri Prijatmodjo in his official statement.

Johanes further said that the Nusantara Dua satellite will operate to replace Indosat Ooredoo's Palapa-D satellite which is located at 113 degrees East longitude. This satellite, made by the China Great Wall Industry Corporation, weighs 5,500kg and the weight of the launch rocket reaches 425,800 kilograms.

Satellite Nusantara Dua has a capacity of 20 x 36 MHz C-band FSS transponder and 9.5 gigabits per second (Gbps) HTS. As a result, this satellite can cover areas throughout Indonesia, Asia Pacific to Australia for C-band and HTS (High Throughput Satellite) transponders.

This satellite can last up to 15 years and has similar technology to its predecessor, namely Nusantara Satu, such as Classic Fixed Satellite Service on C-band and HTS on Ku-band. Thanks to this technology, satellites will be more efficient but still have added value in the use of VSAT, broadcast, broadband, backbone, and backhaul.

Johanes added, at the beginning of last month the company had completed the satellite pre-shipment review process and the results could send the satellite to launch in early April. "We hope that the launch will run smoothly so it is estimated that in June 2020 it will be ready to serve the community," he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Business Officer of Indosat Ooredoo Bayu Hanantasena said that the company is committed to continuing to provide the best telecommunication services for business customers. "Satellite Nusantara Dua will complement Indosat Ooredoo Business' service portfolio."