Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria said the ministry is expanding emergency internet coverage by deploying telecommunications facilities in areas that remain cut off.
“We are trying to restore telecommunications access first. Without telecommunications, we cannot determine the condition of residents in the areas most severely affected by the floods,” Nezar said, as quoted in a ministry press statement issued in Jakarta on Thursday.
According to ministry data, as of Wednesday (Dec. 10), 2,287 base transceiver stations (BTS), or 66.99 percent of the 3,414 BTS in Aceh Province, remained disrupted.
As of Tuesday (Dec. 9), the ministry had set up 18 emergency internet access points using the Satria-1 satellite network and distributed 88 Starlink devices to flood-affected regions: 27 units in Aceh, 27 in North Sumatra, and 34 in West Sumatra.
“We will try to expand the Starlink coverage to areas that have not yet been reached. If networks in certain locations return to normal, we may relocate the Starlink units to other areas,” Nezar said.
The Starlink devices were distributed to local governments, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and regional disaster mitigation agencies, as well as humanitarian organizations and volunteers. They are being installed at strategic sites such as government offices, volunteer and relief posts, isolated communities, and public activity centers.
Nezar added that the ministry is also working to ensure electricity supply in areas that urgently require connectivity.
“We are collaborating with several institutions, particularly on electricity supply, because we cannot rely solely on generators given limited fuel availability. Without fuel, communications would also be cut off,” he said.
Residents have already benefited from the ministry’s telecommunications support, including those in Krueng Simpo in Juli sub-district, Bireuen District, Aceh Province.
“People here can access the internet to check on their families elsewhere,” a Krueng Simpo resident said during a virtual conversation with the deputy minister on Tuesday (Dec. 9).
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Translator: Farhan, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Primayanti
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