Kemkomdigi Accommodates 722 BAKTI Internet Service Points in South Kalimantan
Banjarmasin (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Kemkomdigi) is accommodating 722 internet service points through the Telecommunications and Information Accessibility Agency (BAKTI) in South Kalimantan to expand digital connectivity access, particularly in areas with limited telecommunications networks and public services.
Acting Director of Telecommunications and Information Services at the Ministry’s Business Entity, Tri Haryanto, stated that the services are distributed across 13 regencies, with one point using fibre optic network and 721 points utilising the SATRIA satellite.
“The provision of services is supported by a combination of state-owned assets (BMN) and service rental schemes to reach areas not served by terrestrial networks, thereby continuously expanding equitable internet access,” he said during the Coordination Meeting for Synchronising Blankspot Handling Programmes across South Kalimantan in Banjarmasin on Wednesday.
He mentioned that North Hulu Sungai Regency has the highest number of points, reaching 179 locations, reflecting the government’s focus on intervening in areas with high needs for communication and information access to support public services.
From the total of 722 points, he said that 635 points are in the education sector, namely schools, thus becoming the backbone of utilising BAKTI internet services in driving the digital transformation of learning in South Kalimantan.
In addition to the education sector, internet services also reach health service facilities, government offices, community activity centres, defence and security sectors, and some business entities to support local economic activities.
However, there are around 77 service points with low utilisation rates that are a concern for evaluation, especially in the education and government office sectors which should have relatively high usage rates.
He conveyed that the government is opening options for relocating low-utilisation service points to other areas that need them more, so that the distribution of internet access is more effective and directly impacts improvements in public services.
“The presence of an earth station in Banjarmasin also supports the operation of the SATRIA satellite through the Network Operation Center (NOC) facility, with the location selection based on the readiness of a reliable fibre optic network to maintain service stability,” said Tri.