Telkom Indonesia Undertakes Repairs on Damaged Subsea Cable Impacting Papua Connectivity
Telkom Indonesia Initiates Repairs on Damaged Subsea Cable
State-owned Telkom Indonesia has announced urgent plans to repair a damaged subsea cable that has significantly disrupted internet connectivity in South and Central Papua. This cable break, first reported on Saturday, has impaired communication services for communities in these regions. According to Antara, the official Indonesian news agency, Telkom will approach the repair process in two critical phases to restore full connectivity as soon as possible.
Two-Phase Repair Process to Ensure Swift Recovery
In the first phase of the repair, Telkom is dispatching a vessel from the Makassar Port to assess the exact location and condition of the damaged cable. Once the break is identified, new cables will be loaded, tested, and reconnected to restore partial service. Amin Soebagyo, the Executive Vice President of Telkom Regional V, stated that internet services in South and Central Papua are expected to normalize by the completion of this phase, which is anticipated during the first week of September.
The second phase, involving permanent cable repairs, is projected to cause temporary disruptions in service, particularly on the first and last days of repair activities. Telkom targets completing all repairs by the third week of September. However, there is currently no detailed information regarding the cause of the cable break or which specific subsea system was impacted.
Key Subsea Systems Supporting Papua
Telkom operates the SMPCS Packet-2 system, a critical subsea network that connects South, Central, and other coastal regions of Papua, and has been in operation since 2015. Another vital system in this region is the Palapa Ring East network, completed in 2019 by Palapa Timur Telematika, a subsidiary of Moratelindo. Both systems are foundational to Papua’s telecommunications infrastructure, delivering reliable connectivity to residents and businesses alike.
While Telkom has yet to disclose specifics regarding the damaged cable, the swift response and detailed repair strategy reflect their commitment to minimizing service interruptions for affected customers. This cable disruption underscores the importance of maintaining and investing in robust subsea networks, which are critical for bridging communication gaps in remote regions.
