Komdigi Focuses Free Internet Services For Flood Isolated Areas

Wamenkomdigi Nezar Patria (photo: dock. VOI)

After the flood and landslide disaster, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs stated that Aceh Province was the area that experienced the most disruptions to BTS towers, which was 2,287 BTS out of a total of 3,414 BTS or 66.99 percent.

To ensure that flood-affected residents can communicate, Komdigi has also distributed satellite-based telecommunications devices to be used as emergency internet access.

The Deputy Minister of Communication and Trade, Nezar Patria, emphasized that Komdigi continues to strive to expand the point of emergency internet access services, especially to open communication access in isolated areas.

"We are trying to restore telecommunication access first. Without telecommunications, we cannot know the condition of residents at the most severe flood-affected points," Nezar said in his official broadcast.

As of Tuesday, December 9, the Ministry of Communication and Digi has provided 18 emergency internet access points using the Satria 1 satellite connection and distributed 88 Starlink devices to affected areas, including Aceh Province as many as 27 units, North Sumatra 27 units, and West Sumatra 34 units.

"Later, we will try to expand the Starlink point for areas that have not been touched. If there are areas where the network is normal, maybe the Starlink can be shifted to other areas first," he said.

This Starlink device is distributed directly to local governments, BNPB/BPBD, as well as organizations/relaws that handle disasters to be installed at strategic points, such as government offices, volunteer and assistance posts, isolated residents' locations, and community activity points.

The Deputy Minister of Nezar emphasized that the Ministry of Communication and Industry continues to strive to ensure electricity supply is available in areas that desperately need connectivity.