TelkomGroup Inaugurates Backbone of Digital Connectivity in Papua
PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (Telkom), together with its operating company PT Telkom Satelit Indonesia (Telkomsat), inaugurated the Community Gateway at the Wamena Earth Station in Jayawijaya Regency, Papua, on Friday (8/5). This initiative represents a strategic step by TelkomGroup to strengthen and expand the equitable distribution of digital infrastructure in regions with challenging geographical conditions in eastern Indonesia, while also enhancing national connectivity through the utilisation of satellite technology.
The infrastructure was inaugurated by Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Angga Raka Prabowo, accompanied by Telkom CEO Dian Siswarini and Acting CEO of Telkomsat Rizal Ahmad Fauzi, witnessed by Director of Wholesale and International Service Budi Satria Dharma Purba, and virtually from Wamena by Chairman of the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development in Papua Dr. Velix Wanggai, Deputy Governor of Papua Pegunungan Province Ones Pahabol, Telkom Network Director Nanang Hendarno, and Telkomsat Development Director Anggoro Kurnianto Widiawan.
Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Angga Raka Prabowo stated that the construction of the Community Gateway in Wamena is part of the national priority work programme to build inclusive digital infrastructure up to the easternmost regions of Indonesia.
“Connectivity is the primary prerequisite for progress. This is where the Wamena Community Gateway plays a crucial role, transforming geographical challenges into strategic opportunities, preparing the region for growth and participation in the national digital economy. We are not only building infrastructure but also strengthening the foundation for a truly connected future Indonesia, from Sabang to Merauke. The next task is to ensure that this infrastructure truly comes alive and is utilised by the entire community, especially in the Papua Pegunungan region,” Angga Raka concluded, quoted from a written statement on Monday (11/5/2026).
The Wamena Community Gateway is a satellite gateway infrastructure that functions as the main distribution point for connectivity in the Papua Pegunungan region. Its presence provides a solution to the limitations of terrestrial networks, enhancing service capacity and quality, while serving as the foundation for digital economic development and public services in the area.
The Wamena Community Gateway is the second facility built by TelkomGroup through Telkomsat, an operating company engaged in providing international-standard satellite technology and services, following the one previously built in Merauke with a different function.
The Merauke Community Gateway was built as a backup link to ensure services continue during terrestrial network disruptions, whereas the Wamena Community Gateway was constructed as the main link or primary connectivity backbone in the Papua Pegunungan region.
Thus, the approach is no longer merely risk mitigation but has entered the stage of strengthening core capacity and improving service quality.
In line with this, Telkom CEO Dian Siswarini stated that the Wamena area and its surroundings have a strategic role as a centre of economic and social activities in Papua Pegunungan.
“Connectivity is the right of 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 digital transformation wave. However, this region also faces significant connectivity challenges, both due to terrestrial network limitations and difficult geographical conditions. To address these challenges, TelkomGroup introduces the Wamena Community Gateway as a strategic solution,” Dian explained.
With satellite technology, this initiative not only enhances connectivity capacity and quality but also strengthens national network resilience through more reliable and adaptive communication pathways. In line with TelkomGroup’s mandate as an agent of development, this connectivity enhancement is expected to open more inclusive digital access, drive economic activities, and accelerate sustainable growth in eastern Indonesia.
On the same occasion, the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development in Papua, Velix Wanggai, stated that the presence of the Wamena Community Gateway marks a milestone in development in the mountainous Papua region. The involvement of Telkom and Telkomsat through satellite connectivity solutions is seen as a step to reach communities in the mountainous Papua region, creating progress and a bright future.
Currently, the network transport capacity in Wamena is around 7 Gbps with high utilisation levels. Through the Wamena Community Gateway, capacity can be increased gradually to reach a maximum potential of 40 Gbps.
This is not only a capacity increase but also a leap in connectivity quality with more stable performance, controlled latency, and the ability to support growing traffic needs.
Furthermore, the Wamena Community Gateway is designed as an open access platform. This means the infrastructure can be utilised not only by TelkomGroup but also by various operators, local ISPs, and other institutions, thereby creating an inclusive and sustainable connectivity ecosystem.
Through this initiative, TelkomGroup reaffirms its role as a national connectivity provider based on sovereign infrastructure, focusing on capacity as well as control, reliability, and national network resilience.
“We believe that the presence of the Wamena Community Gateway as the main link will have an impact in improving communication service quality in the Papua Pegunungan region, thereby opening digital economic access for the community, supporting public services, pe