Satellite capacity increased to maintain internet access in Sangihe & Sitaro

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemkomdigi) is working to maintain telecommunications and internet services in the Sangihe Islands and Siau Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro) regencies, North Sulawesi, during the restoration process of the Palapa Ring undersea cable for the Tahuna-Melonguane segment.

As a mitigation step, Kemkomdis, through the Telecommunications and Information Accessibility Agency (BAKTI), has increased bandwidth capacity to between 50 and 150 Mbps across 154 service access points using the Indonesian Republic Satellite (Satria) network.

In a statement confirmed in Jakarta on Wednesday, Indra Maulana, Director of Digital Infrastructure Control at the Directorate General of Digital Infrastructure, Kemkomdigi, stated that the government continues to prioritise the continuity of services for the community while overseeing the ongoing infrastructure restoration process.

In addition to the increase in satellite capacity, Kemkomdigi is also coordinating with cellular operators to ensure connectivity at public service points and vital objects in the region remains maintained. These efforts are being undertaken to ensure that communication services, government services, education, health, and the economic activities of the community in the border regions remain connected.

“We apologise for this schedule adjustment. Despite facing weather challenges and extreme seabed characteristics, the entire technical team continues to exert maximum effort. Work is being carried out with priority given to safety and network reliability so that services can return to normal as soon as possible,” said Darien.

Darien explained that the restoration work faces several technical challenges in the field. In addition to dynamic sea weather conditions, the work area is also located near the active undersea cable corridor of the Ondong Siau-Tahuna segment, meaning the entire process must be executed with a high level of precision.

Considering these operational conditions, the target for completion and the Ready For Service (RFS) schedule, originally planned for the period of 28 May to 2 June 2026, is projected to be adjusted to 6 June 2026.

Darien emphasised that Kemkomdigi remains committed to overseeing the restoration process until completion and ensuring that the people of Sangihe and Sitaro continue to receive reliable access to communication and digital services.