By : Arzan Malik Narendra )*
The ASEAN Summit was held in Labuan Bajo, NTT. Preparations have been finalized, including 5G communication services by cellular telephone operators. A stronger 5G internet signal will make the event a success and make media coverage easier. Good communication services will make the 2023 ASEAN Summit smoother.
ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) is an economic and political union of 11 countries in Southeast Asia which was founded on August 8, 1967 in Thailand. Indonesia is an active member of ASEAN, apart from Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore and Timor Leste.
Indonesia will become Chair of ASEAN in 2023 and this year’s Summit will be held in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara. To support the smooth running of the Summit, the infrastructure is prepared, as well as communication services. The government is working with providers to prepare 5G signal services so that communication in NTT runs smoothly.
The readiness of communication service infrastructure is an important and vital part in supporting the success of holding the 2023 ASEAN Summit. The Ministry of Communication and Informatics ensures that infrastructure services for the 2023 ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, on 9-11 May 2023 have been covered by 4G network services and 5G.
Head of the Telecommunications Monitoring Center Team from the Directorate of Post and Information Administration of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kemenkominfo) Indra Apriadi stated that the readiness of telecommunications infrastructure in Labuan Bajo has covered 94 percent of 4G services for residential areas. Meanwhile, from the entire area of Labuan Bajo, including forests, only 78 percent of 4G services and several 5G service points have been reached.
Indra continued, the number of base transceiver stations (BTS) in Labuan Bajo is 1,635 BTS for 4G services and 3 BTS for 5G services. The area has been passed by 3,773 kilometers of fiber optic infrastructure and around 2,055 broadband service entry points.
Regarding the 2023 ASEAN Summit, said Indra, telecommunications operators have made anticipations such as providing combat BTS which has been increased against the capacity of existing BTS.
Preparation of communication services is very important because there are at least 300 local and international journalists who will be covering the 2023 ASEAN Summit. With a 5G signal, it is certain that they can upload videos quickly and send emails to newspaper offices in their area.
SOE Minister Erick Thohir stated that internet, wifi and data center networks were ready to support the 2023 ASEAN Summit. The network was not only built in Jakarta but also Labuan Bajo. In a sense, an infrastructure network in the field of communication is held in Labuan Bajo for the smooth running of the 5G signal so that it becomes more widespread.
Minister Erick Thohir added, infrastructure readiness in the telecommunications sector was 100%. He also praised the BTS 5G mobile combat as a sophisticated device used at this event. When compared with Italy, the network there is only 3G. This shows that Indonesia is no less sophisticated and should not be shy about showing off its strengths.
Telkom Vice President Corporate Communication, Andri Herawan Sasoko also stated that Telkom Group is committed to providing all the best telecommunication facilities and infrastructure to support the 2023 ASEAN Summit.
His party is trying to ensure that all delegates from ASEAN countries at the ASEAN Summit will not be hampered in terms of communication and connectivity. Telkom Group has prepared all the main and supporting networks to ensure the smooth communication and interaction of the Summit participants, so that they can carry out activities without constraints and enjoy all the best experiences while in Indonesia.
The readiness of the internet network and other infrastructure in the field of technology is very important because this event is held in Labuan Bajo, NTT, so those who want to watch live streaming from Jakarta or other cities will not be disappointed because the signal is intermittent. In addition, if the internet network is good, it will arrive quickly to foreign countries so that many spectators (including those who are not residents of the countries participating in the 2023 ASEAN Summit can witness it).
The better the internet network, the more viewers will increase and this can at the same time promote that in Indonesia international forums can be held with very adequate communication infrastructure. So it is hoped that more and more foreign entrepreneurs are aware that Indonesia is a potential market because it is supported by sophisticated infrastructure, and they are willing to invest.
If there is a good internet network, the 2023 ASEAN Summit will run smoothly. When the internet signal is good, communication is also smooth.
Good infrastructure in the field of communication will strengthen the quality of news videos delivered to foreign countries, as well as show the beauty of the Labuan Bajo region and its surroundings. It is hoped that in this way it will attract more tourists from many countries.
5G communication services in NTT are prepared for preparations before the 2023 ASEAN Summit takes place. Infrastructure support in the field of technology using the latest equipment will help the summit run smoothly. In addition, coordination will be easier because the internet network is good.
)* The author is a contributor to the Siber Nusa Institute
