The Indonesian Telecommunications and Information Accessibility Agency (BAKTI) under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo) is committed to enhancing the utilization of the Palapa Ring as the primary telecommunications infrastructure to support connectivity in the new capital city, Nusantara (IKN). The focus will be on improving the network in the Central Palapa Ring segment, which covers East Kalimantan, the location of IKN. Yulis Widyo Marfiah, Acting Director of IT Services for Business Entities at BAKTI Kominfo, stated that coordination has been carried out with various parties, including associations like APJII, APJATEL, and network/internet operators, to collaborate on increasing the utilization of the Palapa Ring, both in capacity and passive optical fiber. The Central Palapa Ring, comprising six projects and a total fiber optic cable length of 3,102 kilometers, has shown an increase in usage from 20.17% in 2018 to 44% in 2024.
To maximize this network, BAKTI Kominfo is implementing several initiatives, such as pay-per-use schemes, offering discounts to existing and potential customers, product development, and swap core and swap capacity with long-term commitment (LTC) schemes. Additionally, BAKTI is preparing human resources by providing guidance, especially to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), to leverage digital connectivity to grow their businesses. The connectivity provided is expected to facilitate online transactions, the distribution of goods and services, and bring local businesses closer to e-commerce, thereby increasing productivity and having a positive economic impact, as well as improving the quality of life for the community.
