Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Mahfud MD, revealed during a meeting with the Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives at the Nusantara II Building, Senayan Parliamentary Complex, Central Jakarta, that digitalisation had played a crucial role in sustaining the digital economy, educational activities, and healthcare services.
The digital economy has become a driving force for economic growth with the presence of e-commerce platforms that enable local businesses to reach a broader market. Digital technology has significantly transformed educational activities as well, enabling remote learning and access to various educational resources. Moreover, digital technology has benefited healthcare services, allowing remote medical consultations, real-time patient monitoring, and more effective health data management. “The presence of digital technology has bridged the needs of the Indonesian society,” he explains.
According to Minister Mahfud MD, by harnessing digital technology, the government strives to achieve Indonesia’s vision by 2045. “The presence of digital technology plays a crucial role in the efforts to achieve Indonesia’s vision of becoming an advanced and digital country by 2045. Therefore, mastery of digital technology is one of the crucial things in realising this vision,” he stated.
Furthermore, digital technology disrupts a policy more efficiently and effectively by improving digitally based public services. One of the government’s efforts to enhance public services is the upcoming launch of the SATRIA-1 Multifunctional Satellite.
“The SATRIA-1 satellite is planned to be launched this month into the 106 East Longitude orbit and will commence operations in the fourth quarter of this year,” he stated.
“Furthermore, the utilisation of the Palapa Ring backbone infrastructure stands at 45%, with a 95% Service Level Agreement for Palapa Ring operational services,” he explained.
It is one of the implementations of President Joko Widodo’s directives regarding accelerating access expansion and improving digital infrastructure to accelerate digital transformation. SATRIA-1, equipped with Very High Throughput Satellite (VHTS) technology, can deliver internet speeds up to 150Gbps. The SATRIA-1 Multifunctional Satellite is one of the government’s efforts to provide equitable high-speed internet access across Indonesia.
To enhance public services through the launch of the SATRIA-1 Multifunctional Satellite, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo) has undertaken comprehensive preparations. Secretary General Mira Tayyiba revealed that as part of these preparations, Kominfo has established supporting communication aspects for the satellite, namely ground segment earth stations, in 11 strategic locations throughout Indonesia.
These ground segment earth stations are located in various regions, ranging from Cikarang, Batam, Banjarmasin, Tarakan, Pontianak, Kupang, Ambon, Manado, Manokwari, and Timika to Jayapura. The placement of these ground segment earth stations demonstrates the government’s commitment to providing adequate infrastructure to support satellite connectivity and ensure optimal coverage and service quality across Indonesia.
With the presence of these ground segment earth stations, the communication quality through the SATRIA-1 satellite is expected to be well-maintained. Communities in various regions, including those in the mentioned locations, will enjoy the benefits of improved internet connectivity, including faster and more stable access. It will positively impact various sectors of life, including business, education, healthcare, and government.
Moreover, placing ground segment earth stations in various regions of Indonesia emphasises the importance of regionalisation in technology and infrastructure development. The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology will also conduct periodic training and monitoring to ensure that personnel involved in operating the earth stations have sufficient knowledge and skills to maintain and optimise the performance of this communication infrastructure.
Hence, establishing ground segment earth stations in these 11 locations is a strategic step by the government in preparing the necessary infrastructure to support the successful launch of the SATRIA-1 Multifunctional Satellite. It is a substantial effort to ensure that digitally based public services can be accessed effectively by all Indonesian citizens, connecting them to broader opportunities and enabling sustainable progress in various sectors of life.
