Internet Down During the Disaster: The Slowness and Negligence of Telecommunications Operators in Aceh are Spotlighted

Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The sluggishness and potential negligence of telecommunications operators are once again in the spotlight after internet services in Aceh were repeatedly paralyzed in the midst of the post-disaster emergency situation. This pattern has been repeated in recent weeks after floods and landslides, when communication access is almost uninterrupted and makes it difficult for people to obtain crucial information.

Legal Consultant and PMN Mediator LBH Qadhi Malikul Adil, Dr. Bukhari, assessed the condition as a serious problem that can no longer be understood as a technical disruption.

"After the flood and landslide, we see how vulnerable the telecommunications system in Aceh is. The internet is immediately blacked out as soon as the electricity is cut off. This is not only a technical problem, but also concerns legal responsibility and public service," he said on Wednesday, December 17.

He emphasized that the death of the internet whenever a system failure occurs reflects the weakness of the readiness of telecommunications operators in disaster-prone areas. In fact, communication services are vital infrastructure that should remain functional in crisis conditions.

Facts on the ground show that many Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in Aceh are not equipped with adequate power reserves. Ideally, telecommunications towers have batteries or generators that are capable of supporting operations for at least 4 to 8 hours. In practice, however, some BTS only last tens of minutes, and some even die immediately when the main supply is interrupted. In emergency conditions, the operator's responsibility does not stop at the existence of a generator alone.

When the BTS generator runs out of fuel, the operator should immediately refuel. If the generator is damaged due to the impact of the disaster, rapid replacement or repair is an obligation, not an option. The protracted dependence on the recovery of other parties reflects the weakness of emergency management.

He emphasized that this obligation is not an option, but a responsibility inherent in telecommunications service providers.

"If it is not fulfilled, this condition can be categorized as corporate negligence which has a direct impact on the interests and safety of the community," he added.

This condition is contrary to the obligations stipulated in Law No. 36 of 1999 and PP No. 46 of 2021 which require telecommunications operators to ensure the reliability and continuity of services, including during disasters. The repeated events in Aceh are a stark reminder that the internet is not just an additional service, but a basic need that should not be paralyzed precisely when it is most needed.