BAKTI Kominfo Builds Sky Toll So All Indonesia Has Internet Connection

The Director of BAKTI Kominfo, Anang Latif, wants to ensure that the construction of the Sky Highway runs smoothly. (photo: screenshot)

JAKARTA — The construction of the Sky Toll Road is a big goal that BAKTI Kominfo wants to realize. Through this facility, all regions in the country, especially in 3T areas (frontier, outermost, underdeveloped), will be connected to the internet network.

Sky Toll Road is a term for a barrier-free connection in the form of an internet signal that can connect all regions in Indonesia without exception. This can be realized by building a national backbone network and a high-tech multifunction satellite (High Throughput Satellite).

“The Sky Toll Road is like a freeway. The internet network in the interior, which was previously only available by satellite, is now being replaced by fiber optic so that the internet can be faster like in big cities,” said BAKTI President Director Kominfo Anang Latif, during a webinar, Apa Kabar Tol Langit, Tuesday, September 14 in Jakarta.

According to Anang Latif, the presence of the Sky Toll Road is very much needed considering that there is still a digital divide in Indonesia. In almost all areas there are still people who do not have internet access.

It was recorded that active internet users in 2019-2020 were only 73.7% of the total population of Indonesia, with the highest penetration rates in Java and Sumatra. The government targets at least 92.6% of the total population to be active internet users.

One way to realize the Sky Toll Road is by building a backbone telecommunications infrastructure that connects cities/districts through the Palapa Ring fiber optic network. In addition, middle mile infrastructure in the form of satellite, optical fiber, and microwave links as a liaison to the sub-district area.

BAKTI plans to build the Palapa Ring Integration fiber optic in 2022-2023 with a total of 12,803 km in 2 development phases. Phase 1 will be built in 2022 along a length of 5,226 km. While phase 2 in 2023 is built along 6,857 km.

Of the total fiber optic to be built, 8,203 km will be built on land, 3,880 km at sea, and the rest will be in the form of microwave links. This network will integrate the 3 Palapa Ring packages that have been built, namely the West, Central and East Palapa Rings so that they are connected to each other.

This Palapa Ring Integration construction program costs up to 8 trillion and is a major part of the National Sky Toll Road. The goal is to strengthen the existing network and become a backup if in one area the network is disconnected. This makes the use of the internet will be more leverage. The source of funding for the program is planned to be obtained from the cooperation of the government and the private sector.

The construction of the Palapa Ring Network, which is currently being built in the West, Central and East regions, is not easy to do in practice. BAKTI and its partners face many field obstacles.

Challenges come from geographical, social and administrative factors. This was also stated by the President Director of Moratelindo Galumbang Menak, one of BAKTI's partners who was trusted to build the West and East Palapa Ring network.

The geographical condition of Indonesia, which has high mountains, presents extraordinary challenges. Especially in the Papua region where the mountains can reach more than 4000 m above sea level. The location is remote and can only be accessed by helicopter. It also hinders workers in the field. Especially in that area the air temperature and oxygen levels are low.

Constraints are not only in terms of technology, but also in terms of security. Attacks and vandalism can happen at any time from the Papuan armed criminal groups (KKB). Moratelindo must continue to coordinate with the TNI to ensure the safety of its employees.

“Building the Palapa Ring does not only cost a lot of sweat and costs, but it also costs lives. There have been many victims, both from employees, contractors, and TNI officers who died in order to create the internet in remote parts of the country, especially in Eastern Indonesia," said Galumbang.

It is not easy to change the face and lifestyle of people in 3T areas through the presence of the internet. The participation of various parties is very much needed. It is not only the central government that is moving forward together with its partners, but there must be TNI and Polri security forces to guard this program so that it runs safely. In addition, the role of local governments must be proactive in providing easy access through various required permits.

These licensing constraints make the construction of a fiber optic network of 60-70 km long, requiring 29 permits. Galumbang hopes that only one permit can provide access to carry out the work. It is hoped that in the future government programs can run more quickly and the results can be enjoyed by all levels of Indonesian society.