Jakarta, Kominfo – Director General of Resources and Equipment for Post and Information Technology, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Ismail, hopes that the implementation of 5G can answer the needs of all elements of society. In fact, according to him, the Government is also preparing digital governance and talent in order to optimize the impact of 5G implementation in Indonesia.
“The implementation of 5G is expected to be able to answer the needs of all elements of society, including the business world, government and individuals,” he said at the CNBC Indonesia Telco Forum Online Seminar 2021: 5G The Future of Indonesian Communication, from Jakarta, Wednesday (28/04/2021).
Director General Ismail also hopes that a fast network can be provided with the best possible quality and at an affordable price. If later the 5G speed will increase 10 times, so it can improve the user experience. However, there will also be a cost issue. “Efficiency is needed, even though the speed increases 10 times, it is still affordable,” he hoped.
According to him, providing 5G is not a matter of speed, but at the right time and on target. That way, the Ministry of Communication and Information and the Ministry of Industry can prepare a clear roadmap. The community can understand that the network roadmap can be implemented by related parties.
“Preparing the various ecosystems needed, so that the infrastructure built is no longer for foreign or over the top industries. Take advantage of 5G with the application of the nation’s children,” he said.
One aspect that needs to be prepared so that Indonesia wants to be the host in its own country in implementing the 5G ecosystem, according to the Director General of SDPPI, is to prepare as many digital talents as possible who have a variety of application works in the digital world simultaneously and in parallel. “We want to be the host in the implementation of 5G, not only spending but not being able to use it to get the maximum benefit,” he explained.
Director General Ismail also emphasized that not only building telecommunications infrastructure, but also applications originating from the work of the nation’s children must be reproduced. “The data that is spread must be well maintained, especially data privacy. We must believe that we are sovereign on data in Indonesia,” he said.
The Director General of SDPPI also reminded telecommunications operators not to spend free funds on 5G development, but the benefits obtained are not comparable. All parties must take the opportunity in the development of 5G in Indonesia to increase the level of domestic components (TKDN). This must be reflected in the infrastructure produced in Indonesia.
Therefore, Director General Ismail stated that the Government would be the orchestra in implementing the development of 5G technology in the country. “The government will be the orchestra that accommodates various interests in implementing 5G development,” he said.
According to the Director General of SDPPI, infrastructure must be available everywhere and must be of the best quality. Not to forget the rates must be affordable for all users. It’s useless if the service is quality, but not affordable by the community.
Director General Ismail acknowledged that there was still homework from the policy and regulatory perspective, in the form of preparing derivative rules of the Job Creation Act, namely Government Regulations (PP) and Ministerial Regulations (PM).
Waiting for this, the Director General of SDPPI reminded that there should be a change in mindset at the central and regional government levels. “Local governments look at infrastructure to get Local Original Income (PAD), or permits that are convoluted. In the Job Creation Law and its derivatives, the central and regional governments should facilitate all of this,” he said.
According to Director General Ismail, the government does not need to get upfront revenue, because the main thing is to provide certainty and speed the process. “Everything must be clear from the financing and regulations, it must also be socialized on how to implement it,” he explained.
Industrial Efficiency
The Director of the Electronics and Telematics Industry at the Ministry of Industry, Ali Murtopo Tampubolon, explained that the implementation of 5G is expected to be a driver of industrial automation according to the Making Indonesia 4.0 target initiated by the government. The 5G network is considered to be able to make the industry more efficient and increase competitiveness compared to its current position, especially in industrial areas.
“We want to encourage domestic industries to optimize and improve their equipment, so that they can become hosts in their own country. Then the level of domestic content (TKDN) must be increased, so that it can attract incoming investment,” said Ali.
Therefore, the Ministry of Industry has informed the industry about the importance of digital transformation in efficiency and competitiveness. The Ministry of Industry will develop a techno park that is ready to become a 5G industry player, as well as develop technology and human resources.
Ali Murtopo Simbolon revealed that his party was reviewing the stimulus to be given to stakeholders in the development of 5G in Indonesia. “What we are preparing is how 5G technology can be produced in the domestic industry, so that the work of the nation’s children can be used optimally,” he said.
Furthermore, he added that the demand for 5G is very ready, as well as the need for the implementation of the revolution in industry 4.0. Ali Murtopo Simbolon said the Ministry of Industry was reviewing a stimulus to the telecommunications industry to support the implementation of 5G technology in Indonesia. “Later, when the technology can be produced domestically and not burdened with imported technology. That way the local industry in implementing 5G can be maximized and attract new investment,” he explained.
Ali Murtopo said, of course, with the implementation of Making Indonesia 4.0, the need for 5G is very clear for industrial transformation in Indonesia. “The Ministry of Industry is ready to synergize with the Ministry of Communication and Information in preparing 5G in Indonesia,” he added.
Deputy President Director of Sarana Menara Nusantara, Adam Gifari, said that this year, the company is focusing on increasing the amount of fiberization. For the record, until September 2020, the number of fiberization carried out by TOWR reached 37,000.
He also revealed that the addition of telecommunication towers this year is targeted at 500-1,000 new towers. “Meanwhile, this year’s co-location target is targeted for growth of 2,000 to 3,000 towers,” he said.