Video: Submarine Cables Connect Java and Papua with High-Speed Internet

Hendri Mulya Syam, President Director & Chief Executive Officer of PT Infra Fiber Teknologi (IFT), stated that the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is driving the need for high-capacity, low-latency digital infrastructure that can support other digital services.

Amidst exchange rate volatility, the construction of digital infrastructure, which requires a steady supply of raw materials, remains a business challenge for the fibre optic industry. Furthermore, the deployment of submarine cables, which can take up to two years to become operational, presents an additional challenge for Indonesia’s digital infrastructure.

Nevertheless, IFT remains optimistic about the prospects of the fibre optic business in Indonesia. IFT, which has launched the AI-based digital infrastructure platform known as RAIA Grid, is focusing its fibre optic construction on two main segments: the Jakarta-Batang-Surabaya segment, and the Banjarmasin-Balikpapan-Manado and Bali-Lombok-Labuan Bajo-Makassar-Kendari-Manado segments. Additionally, there is a Manado-Sorong route that can connect all islands via submarine cables.

The expansion of submarine cable transmission can provide better internet data speeds with low latency. Currently, RAIA Grid possesses 80,000 kilometres of terrestrial data networks and 6,500 kilometres of submarine cables, which will continue to be increased to meet the requirements of digital infrastructure.