Telkom Indonesia to Repair Damaged Subsea Cable Disrupting Papua Internet Connectivity
Telkom Indonesia Initiates Repairs on Damaged Subsea Cable
State-owned telecommunications giant Telkom Indonesia has announced immediate plans to repair a damaged subsea cable that disrupted internet connectivity in South and Central Papua. The damage, which occurred last Saturday, has left many in the region experiencing connectivity issues. The repair process will be carried out in two critical phases, aiming to restore internet services promptly while implementing a long-term resolution to the issue.
Phase One: Temporary Restoration Efforts
Telkom revealed that the first phase of the repair involves deploying a dedicated vessel from Makassar Port to evaluate the extent of the damage and pinpoint the affected location. This vessel will be responsible for assessing the condition of the damaged cable, after which new cables will be loaded, tested, and reconnected. According to Telkom Regional V executive VP Amin Soebagyo, this temporary fix will ensure that internet connectivity in South and Central Papua is restored to normal levels by the end of the first week of September.
While this phase aims to serve as a temporary solution, it underscores Telkom’s commitment to maintaining seamless internet access for Papua’s residents, an area crucial for development and business operations. Restoring connectivity quickly is especially vital to minimize the disruption experienced by households and businesses in the region.
Phase Two: Permanent Solutions and Potential Disruptions
The second phase of the operation will involve a more permanent fix to ensure the subsea cable’s long-term reliability. Telkom has cautioned that this phase may cause temporary service disruptions, particularly on the first day of permanent repairs and again during the final two days of the process. If everything proceeds as planned, the entire repair operation is expected to be completed by the third week of September, bringing a lasting resolution to the connectivity challenges faced by South and Central Papua users.
Despite the detailed action plan, Telkom has not disclosed the cause of the cable break nor identified the specific subsea system that was damaged. However, it is worth noting that the SMPCS Packet-2 system, which has been operational since 2015 and runs along the north, west, and south coasts of Papua, is one of Telkom’s key infrastructures in the region. Alternatively, the Palapa Ring East subsea cable, installed by Palapa Timur Telematika in 2019, could also potentially play a role in this scenario. Comprehensive details about the impacted system remain limited, leaving room for speculation.
The Crucial Role of Connectivity in Papua
The internet is indispensable for Papua’s social and economic activities. The damaged cable has highlighted vulnerabilities in the region’s telecommunications infrastructure and the importance of robust systems to support connectivity. Both the SMPCS Packet-2 and the Palapa Ring East systems serve as lifelines for digital communication in Papua, enabling the region’s participation in Indonesia’s broader economic framework. Timely restoration efforts by Telkom emphasize the priority given to building a reliable network to meet both current and future demands.
While repairs are underway, Telkom’s responsive measures demonstrate the importance of having contingency plans when dealing with critical infrastructure disruptions. Papua residents and businesses will be closely monitoring progress, hoping for a swift return to normalcy and uninterrupted connectivity.
