These Are Mobile Operators Who Are Still Experiencing Network Disconnection Problems After Mount Semeru Eruption

Mount Semeru Eruption had disrupted telecommunications networks. (photo; doc. BNMPB)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Communication and Information (Menkominfo) Johnny G. Plate has asked cellular operators to immediately follow up in fixing the telecommunications network around Mount Semeru after the eruption.

This incident resulted in power outages in several locations so that some cellular operators' Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) could not be used, and caused the collapse of several bridges, which cut telecommunication network cables or the backbone of several cellular operators.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Communication and Information, Dedy Permadi, explained that until yesterday several telecommunication operators were still experiencing network problems.

"This is due to the inoperability of several BTS sites, with Indosat as many as eight BTS sites, XL Axiata with four BTS sites, and Smartfren with seven BTS sites," said Dedy in a statement quoted by VOI, Tuesday, December 7.

"Previously, as many as 10 BTS sites belonging to Telkomsel were also offline, but now they have resumed operations," he added.

Dedy added that several cellular operators that are still experiencing network problems due to backbone breakdowns include XL Axiata for the line connecting the Pasirian hut (cable shield) and Pagedangan hut and Biznet for the backbone line south side of Malang to Lumajang.

"Previously, as many as two Telkom cable segments were also cut off, but rerouting has been carried out to other segments so that services, in general, have returned to normal as of December 5, 2021," said Dedy.

In addition, the Fiberstar operator's backup backbone network was also affected but has now been mitigated by using the Huawei Malang-Surabaya link.

"Currently, mitigation measures are being carried out in the form of preparing generators to revive dead BTS. Meanwhile, for broken backbone lines, cellular operators are looking for available network backups and other alternative routes that are closest to the existing lines as distributors of other communication networks," he said. Dedy.

Furthermore, said Dedy, the Ministry of Communication and Information will continue to monitor the availability of telecommunications networks and ask cellular operators to immediately restore cellular sites that are still not operating, and rerouting the disconnected backbone so that telecommunications services can be used normally by the surrounding community.

Build a Media Center as a Valid Information Center

Meanwhile, the Kemenkominfo itself plans to build a media center to help disseminate information and data related to the eruption of Mount Semeru in Lumajang, East Java.

Director of Media Management, Directorate General of Information and Public Communication of the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, Nursodik Gunarjo, said that the purpose of building this media center is nothing but spreading accurate information and building communication with the public.

"We need time to build a representative media center, but for the time being there is a functional media center," said Nursodik at his press conference recently.

However, Nursodik stated that currently, the media center has slowly started running, "Although it is still one with the BNPB tent, we will disseminate the facts, information, and data needed by the community through this media center. And its functions have started to run," said Nursodik.

The plan, Nursodik stated that he would soon build a separate media center with the BNPB tent, to make it easier for his team to provide the latest information from the eruption of Mount Semeru to the entire community.

"In the near future we will try to build a media center in our own location, we will try it, but right now what is most needed is its function," said Nursodik.