TelkomGroup inaugurates satellite gateway in Wamena

Jakarta (ANTARA) - PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, together with PT Telkom Satelit Indonesia (Telkomsat), inaugurated the Community Gateway at the Wamena Earth Station in Jayawijaya Regency, Papua, on Friday (8/5) as the main backbone of digital connectivity in the Papua Pegunungan region. “Connectivity is the primary prerequisite for progress. This is where the Wamena Community Gateway plays an important role, turning geographical challenges into strategic opportunities, transforming the region to be ready to grow and participate in the national digital economy,” said Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Angga Raka Prabowo, in an official statement from Telkom on Monday. The construction of the Wamena Community Gateway is part of the national priority programme to expand inclusive digital infrastructure to the easternmost regions of Indonesia. The infrastructure was inaugurated by Angga Raka Prabowo together with Telkom’s President Director Dian Siswarini and Acting CEO of Telkomsat Rizal Ahmad Fauzi. The Wamena Community Gateway is a satellite gateway infrastructure that functions as the main distribution point for connectivity in Papua Pegunungan. The infrastructure was built to address terrestrial network limitations while increasing the capacity and quality of communication services in the region. Telkom’s President Director Dian Siswarini said that Wamena has a strategic role as the centre of economic and social activities in Papua Pegunungan, but still faces connectivity challenges due to geographical conditions and terrestrial network limitations. “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 flow,” said Dian. According to Telkom, the current network transport capacity in Wamena is around 7 Gbps with a high utilisation rate. Through the Wamena Community Gateway, this capacity can be gradually increased to a maximum potential of 40 Gbps. In addition, the infrastructure is designed as an open access platform so that it can be utilised not only by TelkomGroup but also by other operators, local ISPs, and institutions to create an inclusive and sustainable connectivity ecosystem. Dian said that the presence of the Wamena Community Gateway is expected to improve the quality of communication services, open up access to the digital economy for the community, and support public services, education, and healthcare in Papua Pegunungan.