Komdigi ready to facilitate internet access in 19 blank spot locations in Jember
Jember, East Java - The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has expressed its readiness to facilitate internet access in 19 blank spot locations spread across 12 sub-districts in Jember Regency, East Java.
“We have received reports from the Regent of Jember regarding the blank spots in Jember,” said Deputy Minister of Komdigi Nezar Patria while attending the launch of the 14th Egrang Festival in Jember Regency on Saturday.
He stated that his side has coordinated with the Telecommunications and Information Accessibility Agency of the Ministry of Communication and Digital (BAKTI) Komdigi to record the locations of these blank spots.
“Later, we will evaluate and conduct assessments to determine whether the telecommunications network will be built by BAKTI. If it does not fall under 3T areas, other approaches will be sought, including encouraging mobile operators to build communication networks in those spots,” he explained.
He elaborated that Komdigi fully supports connecting these blank spot areas to the internet, considering the needs for education in accessing the internet.
He said his side will pursue various efforts to build networks in these blank spot locations gradually, especially for educational needs.
“Komdigi will first improve the quality. 4G connectivity in Indonesia has reached 97 percent in inhabited areas, but we are also maximising all network modes, including BTS, fibre optic, and satellites, to reach areas that are still blank spots,” he said.
Nezar stated that Komdigi is open to communication with regions to solve blank spot issues, particularly for educational needs in the local areas.
“We are not turning a blind eye to accelerating internet access in areas that are still largely untouched because blank spots usually occur in uninhabited areas with few residents, so the solution is to find the most appropriate telecommunications mode for those places,” he said.
“This year, based on the data we received, the number of blank spot locations has decreased to 19 spots spread across 12 sub-districts in Jember,” he added.
Villages that are still blank spots in Jember include Kemuninglor Village in Arjasa Sub-district, Gunungmalang Village in Sumberjambe Sub-district, Curahnongko Village in Tempurejo Sub-district, and Panduman Village in Jelbuk Sub-district.
“The cause of blank spots is geographical constraints, hilly and mountainous slopes. All blank spot locations are near schools except in Sidomukti Village, Mayang Sub-district,” he said.
He explained that the main challenge for blank spots in Jember is the terrain, with the northern and eastern sides mostly mountainous, hilly, and some areas being forests and plantations.
“The constrained blank spots are mobile blank spots, so signal distribution is hindered by geographical points,” he said.
He explained that the mechanism for providing cell towers by customer-oriented providers means that for mountainous geographical areas with relatively few residents, tower providers need to consider the financing.
“I hope there will be no more blank spots in Jember with the assistance of internet access provision from Komdigi,” he said.