Gov’t to Boost Digital Connectivity in E. Nusa Tenggara

INDUSTRY.co.id - The Government has announced it will deploy 421 units of base transceiver stations (BTS) in East Nusa Tenggara province.

The telecommunications network construction is one of the Government’s endeavors to improve digital connectivity across Indonesia, including in the frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped regions.

“There are 421 BTS in 421 villages to be completed this year and next year. I hope we can speed up the process,” Minister of Communications and Informatics Johnny G. Plate said during a coordination meeting on the acceleration of BTS construction and digital literacy program in East Nusa Tenggara province in the East Nusa Tenggara provincial capital Kupang, Monday (28/06).

The Minister underscored that the accelerated construction requires the regional government’s full support, with synergy between Ministry of Communications and Informatics and the regional government, especially concerning the provision of land in accordance with the regional government’s development plans.

“This is mainly because BTS cannot be deployed in the sky. BTS cannot be deployed on the seabed or in water. It can be deployed on land, on the ground. It is essential that the Ministry join hands with the regional government to ensure the availability of land with the right coordinates, which is required for the construction and development of villages, sub-districts, and regencies,” he said.

Furthermore, the Minister stressed that BTS construction needs to be aligned with regional development plans so that the coverage of telecommunications and internet signals can optimally support the achievement of regional development targets.

“I hope we will determine the spots, which are in line with the regional development plans, so regions within the signal coverage will have housing areas, government offices, schools, and other activities,” he said.

Johnny also expressed hope that the land provided for BTS construction is close to housing areas, education facilities, and public service facilities in order to prevent students or teachers to climb a mountain to find internet signal.

“We will not let village heads to climb trees to join a virtual meeting, video conference call. We must join hands and be on the same path. That is the point of our coordination meeting today, to find the spots, so the construction and BTS have aligned and harmonious prolonged impacts, in line with regional development. Public activities will be (held) there. That is very important,” he stated while expressing hope that the provision of communication access will support digital transformation in the province.

“I hope there will be no more blank spots in areas with public activities. So, 421 BTS will be built. This is the first jump toward and foundation of digital transformation, migration of East Nusa Tenggara people’s activities from physical spaces to digital spaces,” he remarked, adding that the regional government must also provide adequate digital talents.

“Digital talents in East Nusa Tenggara will and must be our giant leap so that they are equal with others in the country and, certainly, those of our neighbor,” he said.

On that occasion, East Nusa Tenggara Governor Viktor Laiskodat stated that the coordination meeting for accelerated BTS construction in the province is not only a positive energy booster but also a realization of work culture transformation. He also urged his officials to well utilize the information and technology infrastructure deployed by the Ministry.

“As for the Minister and his Ministry, they have worked extraordinarily. Directors of Telecommunications and Information Accessibility Agency have built great infrastructure in East Nusa Tenggara, but if there are no human resources in the village, it is as if we built a road without any benefit,” the Governor remarked.

Data from Ministry of Communications and Informatics reveals that the construction locations of 421 4G BTS units are spread across the province, with 24 locations in West Manggarai regency, 66 locations in East Manggarai regency, 33 locations in Alor regency, 59 locations in Ende regency, 24 locations in Kupang regency, 31 locations in Lembata regency, 1 location in Nagekeo regency, 15 locations in Rote Ndao regency, 3 locations in Sabu Raijua regency, 21 locations in Central Sumba regency, 89 locations in East Sumba regency, 15 locations in South Timor Tengah regency, 4 locations in North Timor Tengah regency, 31 locations in Manggarai regency, 4 locations in West Sumba regency, and 1 location in Southwest Sumba regency.