The success of the upcoming 42nd ASEAN Summit will be dependent, to a large extent, on robust and reliable digital support and the ability of the state to get the infrastructure in place on time. Johnny G. Plate, the Minister of Communication and Informatics, assured organisers and participants that he is working with internet and fixed internet provider companies to ensure there is access to high-quality internet available during the session. The infrastructure and technologies required for fibre-optic, 4G, or the 4G Experience Network digital telecommunications are now available.
Johnny, who supervises the communication, media, and public relations for the 42nd ASEAN Summit 2023, has expressed his optimism regarding the series’ potential. He is sure that the exceptional preparations that Indonesia is making for hosting the summit are on par with those that were made for the G20 meeting that was held in Bali in November. He is confident that all public communication service facilities would be ready to meet the criteria established by the Media Centre during the G20 Presidency in Bali.
“We’re working hard to ensure that there will be a reliable internet connection for live broadcasts during the event. That includes both its mobile and landline networks. So that there is enough bandwidth for proper and acceptable data uploading and downloading,” Johnny revealed. “Undoubtedly, I’m hoping that the Network Operations Centre here can perform monitoring effectively.”
Indonesia is also preparing a backup network to guarantee further that the internet network performs at its best throughout the 42nd ASEAN Summit. Johnny claims that the Sea Cable Communication System network is nearly complete.
Johnny has urged the Surabaya, Denpasar, Mataram, and Kupang offices of the Directorate General of Resources and Equipment of Post and Information Technology to prepare the cellular network for potential outages. They oversee monitoring the airwaves during the ASEAN Summit. So that there is no disruption in the frequency spectrum, the government telecommunication company has also set up monitoring.
According to the Chief of Staff of the Presidential Moeldoko, a robust communications infrastructure is crucial to the ASEAN Summit’s success, echoing Johnny’s sentiments. Moeldoko reflected on the success of the G20 Summit’s telecommunications preparations by saying everything was on schedule.
“All technical matters relating to network quality must be detailed as to possible disturbances,” he agrees. “The key is the quality of network operators since the public is now waiting carefully for what will be produced from this summit, and the media can deliver it to the public.”
Indonesia is hosting the 42nd ASEAN Summit with the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth” to continue and deepen ASEAN’s relevance as a response to regional and global problems. The summit will take place from November 29 to December 1, 2023. ASEAN’s position as a centre of economic growth in the region will be strengthened during Indonesia’s tenure as Chairman of ASEAN in 2023, contributing to the prosperity of the people who live in ASEAN member states.
The ASEAN Chair in 2023 will take place in the middle of a geopolitical environment that is becoming increasingly tense, which will slow the post-pandemic economic recovery around the world. But, on the other hand, it could strengthen the region’s financial resilience. This condition acts as a push to establish a constructive outlook and work together in a lively manner to carry out the responsibilities of the ASEAN Chair.
During the 42nd ASEAN Summit, several documents will be produced. These documents will include the Statement of ASEAN Leaders Regarding Institutional Strengthening, the ASEAN Vision post-2025, the handling of crimes of trafficking in persons (TPPO), health, electric vehicles ecosystems, and infrastructure development for the ASEAN community, as well as crisis protection for migratory workers and their families. Johnny concluded that the ASEAN Summit holds significant importance for Indonesia.
