KOMPAS.com – The central government has vowed to provide a 4G network in Indonesia’s most underdeveloped areas by 2022.
Known as the “3T” zone or areas that are frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped in Indonesia, there are currently 9,113 villages and subdistricts that currently lack access to adequate internet access.
Indonesia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Johnny Plate has set a target to connect 1,209 villages/subdistricts this year based on the ministry’s Telecommunications and Information Accessibility Body.
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In 2021, some 4,200 villages/subdistricts are expected to gain access to a 4G network, and the remaining 3,704 villages/subdistricts should be connected by 2022.
“Therefore, by 2022, 9,113 villages/subdistricts in the 3T zone will have 4G network in Indonesia by 2022.”
Nationwide, a total of 12,548 villages/subdistricts do not have access to a 4G network particularly those in the 3T zone.
The remaining 3,435 villages/subdistricts outside of the 3T zone have been promised 4G network access that will be provided by cellular operators.
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“The leaders and executives of cellular operators have voiced their commitment to completing the development of 4G infrastructure in 3,435 villages and subdistricts which are not part of the 3T area.”
In September, Expert Staff at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Dedy Permadi said that 4G access in Indonesia has only reached less than half of the country.
There are thousands of villages and subdistricts that have no 4G access due to their geographical and administrative reasons, Dedy added.
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Other ambitious plans in the works for the ministry include developing a base transceiver station by cellular operators in “super-priority” tourism destinations such as Mandalika and Labuan Bajo.
The two locations will host key international events including the MotoGP in 2021 and the G20 Summit in 2023. Furthermore, healthcare facilities in Indonesia will also be enhanced with 4G access/
“In the fourth quarter of 2020, we will provide 3,126 healthcare facilities with 4G access,” said Johnny Plate.
(Writer: Wahyunanda Kusuma Pertiwi | Editor: Yudha Pratomo)
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