The US Gave a Grant to Study the Construction of Undersea Cables in Remote Areas of Indonesia
By Antara News
July 11, 2023
The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is providing a feasibility study grant to support the construction of an underwater fiber-optic cable system to increase broadband internet capacity in critical remote/underdeveloped areas in Indonesia.
The grant was awarded to PT Super Sistem Data (Super Sistem) which then chose APTelecom based in Florida, USA, as a partner to conduct the research.
“This partnership will drive one of the main goals of economic development and connectivity in Indonesia. Improving access to affordable connectivity is a priority for USTDA in Indonesia and other partner countries around the world,” said USTDA Director Enoh T. Ebong in a written statement in Jakarta, Tuesday.
The cable system development project named Barat Timur Indonesia (BTI) will connect Batam, Jakarta and Manado; includes seven landing stations; and has a combined length of more than 4,700 kilometers.
The feasibility study will provide Super Systems with the necessary analysis, design and plans to implement the cable system.
“The BTI Cable System is proof of our commitment to a connected and prosperous Indonesia. Our BTI Cable System is more than just an effort to expand the existing network. This is a significant leap forward in terms of capacity, reliability and reach,” said Super Sistem Main Director Kelvan Firman.
US Ambassador to Indonesia Sung Y. Kim said on the same occasion that the partnership between the two companies is expected to support Indonesia's digital economy growth by providing the capacity and ability to access the internet securely.
“As we know, undersea cables are the backbone of our global internet infrastructure. In Indonesia, this cable plays an important role in connecting one island to other islands and to the rest of the world,” said Ambassador Sung Y. Kim.
Meanwhile, APTelecom Founder and CEO Eric Handa assesses that the demand for data in Indonesia continues to increase.
“Many of the world's leading operators, over-the-top media services, and content delivery network players are looking for better ways to serve the Indonesian market,” he said.
USTDA's support for this project is also expected to advance the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) which aim to develop, expand, and implement secure digital infrastructure to drive economic growth and facilitate an open digital society.
