TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Palapa Ring’s west package to be completed in Q1 of 2018
Change Size
Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara (JP/Anton Hermansyah )
C
ommunications and Information Minister Rudiantara has said that the west package of the Palapa Ring broadband project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2018.
“We will carry out a trial run so that it can be in full operation as soon as possible” he said on Monday.
The project commenced construction in 2016, aiming to expand nationwide broadband service, including in frontier, outermost and remote areas in the form of 11,000 kilometers of undersea fiber-optic cables.
Rudiantara emphasized the importance of the Rp 2.7 trillion (US$207 million) project to boost economic growth and to be able to monitor all territories.
“We are developing the Palapa Ring not just to meet current demand. We thought about how to build the biggest and fastest data network infrastructure,” he said.
He said that when the project was completed, the infrastructure would cut the cost of internet in remote areas. “Internet will be much more affordable and it will also lower the investment cost for operators.” he added.
Rudiantara promised to provide incentives for operators that use Palapa Ring to open access to rural areas.
The Palapa Ring project consists of west, central and east packages. The construction is expected to complete next year, while the operation is expected to be kicked off in 2019. (srs/bbn)
