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Public Service Agency (BLU) Telecommunication and Information Accessibility Agency (BAKTI) Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo) will build 7,904 base transceiver station (BTS) towers.

The tower will be built using 4G network facilities. The good news is that this BTS will be built throughout 2021-2022 in the foremost, outermost, and underdeveloped (3T) areas of Indonesia.

Minister of Communication and Information (Menkominfo) Johnny Gerard Plate explained that the construction of 7,904 BTS is a partnership concern in the 4G BTS Cellular Service Provision Program in accelerating digital transformation in Indonesia.

“This program is a representation of the several partner’s attention of the 4G BTS Cellular Service Provision Program, namely PT XL Axiata, Tbk and PT Telekomunikasi Selular (Telkomsel) in accelerating Indonesia’s digital transformation, especially in outer regions. These partners will build tactical infrastructure to provide signals and billing systems,” said the Minister of Communication and Information at the signing of the 4G Cellular Service Provision Program Cooperation Agreement in the 3T Region in the Context of Accelerating Digital Transformation in Jakarta on Tuesday (25/1/2022).

According to him, this is a form of physical support so the digital divide in Indonesia is narrowing. With these thousands of BTS, the signal will be spread evenly in Indonesia

The BTS, which will be built by Telkomsel and XL Axiata, will use a combined financing method, such as universal service obligation, pure rupiah fiscal support, and the non-tax revenue share for the Communications and Informatics sector.

The Minister of Communication and Information added that BAKTI Kominfo must cooperate with cellular operators to provide signals because BLU is only in charge of building telecommunications infrastructure in the 3T area. The source of the funds comes from the government and the universal service obligation (USO) scheme.

The BTS infrastructure development carried out in the 3T region of Indonesia is a big step because the advancing infrastructure in the region is quite difficult.

The challenges

Base Transceiver Station in the highlands

Building infrastructure in Indonesia’s 3T Region has many challenges such as difficult geographical conditions as well as cultural challenges.

Plate explained that the development challenges in the 3T region are a bit difficult because of the geographical factor of the area. These areas are still dominated by wild nature such as high mountains, valleys, canyons, rivers, to straits. Furthermore, this development also has cultural problems, in which development must adapt to the customs of the local community. These are challenges that must be faced together.

Moreover, problems can also come from the bureaucracy at both the central and regional levels.

However, he ensured that the development would be carried out seriously and with full commitment. This is in accordance with the motto and mission of Kominfo, namely, no one is left behind.