Disorganized power and internet cables winding through cities not only impact urban aesthetics but also create safety hazards, particularly when dangling wires intrude into pedestrian areas. In response to this persistent issue, the Indonesian Telecommunications Network Operators Association (Apjatel) has proposed a significant shift. Starting in 2025, messy cables will gradually be moved underground in major urban centers, starting from Jakarta. This undertaking aims to bring order to the often-chaotic network of cables and provide a safer environment for city residents.
Apjatel Chairman Jerry Mangasas Siregar explained the plan’s scope: “One of Apjatel’s key strategic programs for next year is the national reorganization of fiber optic utility networks. We’re currently collaborating with consultants and Apjatel’s internal team, with some messy cables relocation efforts already underway in the Greater Jakarta area.”
According to Jerry, the process will start in the second quarter of 2025, prioritizing high-traffic cities, including Jabodetabek, to better serve densely populated areas where disorganized cables are especially problematic.
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Jerry is hopeful that underground cables will eliminate obstacles that inconvenience pedestrians, athletes, and visitors taking photographs in popular city areas. For areas where moving cables underground isn’t feasible, Apjatel is considering an alternative solution: consolidating various operators’ wires on shared poles, reducing clutter and minimizing risks.
“In some regions, shared poles will replace the multiple individual poles cluttering streets and creating hazards,” he explained. “We’ve even heard tragic accounts of accidents related to these cables.”
The reorganization initiative, however, is expected to require substantial funding. Jerry is calling for support from government bodies, as the project costs could strain Apjatel’s resources.
“Arranging these networks demands a considerable investment,” he stated, urging both national and regional governments to contribute. “With the infrastructure ministry now in place, we hope this plan will receive the assistance it needs to advance.”
The plan presents a hopeful vision for safer and more orderly cities, with Apjatel’s initiative promising to transform the appearance and functionality of urban infrastructure, starting in 2025.
