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The Republic of Indonesia’s Public Television Broadcasting Institution has expanded its digital transmission infrastructure in East Java by adding one transmitter. Minister Budi Arie Setiadi of the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo) highlighted that on a national scale, the national public television network Lembaga Penyiaran Publik Televisi Republik Indonesia (LPP TVRI) now covers 70.18% of the population.
With the introduction of this digital transmitter, LPP TVRI is further expanding its reach. Currently, LPP TVRI boasts 158 transmission stations, constituting 37% of the total digital transmission stations across the country, Setiadi stated during the inauguration of the new TVRI Alasmalang Banyuwangi Digital Transmitter.
The establishment of the Alasmalang Banyuwangi Digital Transmission Station signifies TVRI’s tangible commitment to ensuring equitable access to broadcasts. Setiadi expressed optimism that the residents of Banyuwangi Regency will enjoy improved access to positive and high-quality information through this initiative.
“Previously, in the Banyuwangi area there was no TVRI digital transmitter, the closest service areas were in Bali and Mount Gending – East Java. The Alasmalang Transmission Station will serve digital television broadcasts in East Java Service Area 6, which includes Banyuwangi Regency and its surroundings,” the Minister explained.
The presence of digital transmitter infrastructure creates opportunities for collaboration with television operators through multiplexing rental schemes. With this scheme, operators can save on infrastructure investments allowing them to concentrate on delivering superior quality broadcast programmes.
Furthermore, the extended broadcasting reach not only facilitates broader public access but also encourages participation in digital broadcasting programmes. Minister Setiadi elaborated, “The public can also enjoy an increasingly diverse choice of television channels, with better picture and audio quality.”
Kominfo is striving to maintain a balance between advancing telecommunications infrastructure and maintaining the quality of telecommunications services throughout the country. It ensures this with the provision of facilities such as the Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (Pusat Monitoring Telekomunikasi or PMT).
As OpenGov Asia reported, PMT features six elements, namely the PMT analysis dashboard, the Geographic Information System (GIS), the Sigmon application, telecommunications monitoring, smart monitoring quality of service (QoS), and ticketing.
Sigmon, developed by Kominfo, is a mobile application that provides users with real-time information on their mobile phone network service’s internet speed and radio performance. Its features include internet speed tests, web browsing tests, video tests, and route tests. Kominfo follows up on all identified network issues reported by users through the application to enhance network performance.
The primary goal of PMT is to provide real-time or near-real-time information regarding the quality of telecommunications, postal, and broadcasting services. It streamlines the process of monitoring, evaluating, reporting, and analysing activities, aiming for efficiency and accuracy. The monitoring system is designed to tackle existing challenges by using big data analysis, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of decision-making.
In the last five years, digital transformation has become a key focus for the government. Kominfo consistently introduces programmes to promote fair access to digital infrastructure, bolster digital government initiatives, and cultivate a digital society.
In September, Setiadi advocated for a proposed increase of IDR 5.25 trillion (US$ 340 million) in the 2024 Draft State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (RAPBN) for Kominfo to expedite the national digital transformation.
Extra budget allocations will be designated for initiatives on disseminating information and public communication to boost digital literacy, address harmful content, and finalise the development of ICT infrastructure.