Accelerating Development Through Internet Connectivity in Papua's Highlands
Wamena (ANTARA) - The presence of the Community Gateway Satellite Earth Station (SBS) in the Highland Papua region is raising hopes for accelerating development through telecommunications networks.
The Community Gateway SBS in Wamena, Jayawasting Regency, serves as a satellite gateway infrastructure that functions as the primary distribution point for connectivity in Highland Papua. This infrastructure was built to address the limitations of terrestrial networks while simultaneously increasing the capacity and quality of communication services in the region.
The Highland Papua region, which comprises eight regencies, is classified as a frontier, outermost, and least developed (3T) area, necessitating significant government attention. These eight regencies include Jayawijaya, Pegunungan Bintang, Yahukimo, Tolikara, Mamberamo Tengah, Yalimo, Lanny Jaya, and Nduga.
Internet access in the Highland Papua region is currently very limited, which disrupts services in education, healthcare, government offices, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and other sectors that require internet connectivity support.
The Community Gateway SBS, constructed in Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, Highland Papua, provides a glimmer of hope for improving internet network connectivity in the area.
Initially, the internet network capacity in this region was only 7 Gigabits per second (Gbps); however, following the construction of the Community Gateway SBS, network capability has increased and can reach up to 40 Gbps.
The construction of the Wamena Community Gateway SBS represents a major breakthrough by the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital, involving the government partner, Telkom Group.
Community Gateway SBS facilities have been established in two areas in Papua: Merauke Regency in South Papua and Jayawijaya Regency in Highland Papua. Specifically for Merauke Regency, the built Community Gateway SBS functions as a backup link, whereas the one in Wamena is built as the primary connectivity route for Highland Papua.
With improved internet access, it is expected that services in education, healthcare, government, and MSMEs will enhance, leading to increased community prosperity.
“Connectivity is a primary prerequisite for progress. This is where the Wamena Community Gateway plays a vital role, transforming geographical challenges into strategic opportunities, and preparing the region to grow and participate in the national digital economy,” said the Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital of the Republic of Indonesia, Angga Raka Prabowo.
Telkom President Director Dian Siswarini stated that Wamena holds a strategic role as a centre for economic and social activity in Highland Papua, yet still faces connectivity challenges due to geographical conditions and terrestrial network limitations.
“Connectivity is a right for all Indonesian people, without exception. From the centre to the mountainous regions of Papua, we want to ensure that no child of the nation is left behind in the flow of digital transformation,” she said.
Facilitating access to information.