Indonesia’s communications ministry has dispatched telecommunications equipment to accelerate network recovery in disaster-affected areas of Sumatra, with Aceh prioritized as service disruptions there remain significant, officials said on Monday.
The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, in cooperation with Telkomsel, Indonesia’s largest mobile network operator and a subsidiary of state-owned Telkom Indonesia, sent 100 generators, 500 mobile phones, 50 batteries, and 50 rectifiers, Public Communications and Media Director General Fifi Aleyda Yahya said.
“The distribution of these generators is focused on speeding up recovery efforts in Aceh, particularly in Aceh Tamiang District, Gayo Lues District, and Bener Meriah District,” Fifi said at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta on Monday.
She said the generators would provide backup power for damaged telecommunications infrastructure, while the mobile phones would support disaster response teams and residents in need of communication access.
“With the deployment of these 100 generators, we aim to accelerate joint recovery efforts so affected communities can communicate with their families in a more stable and secure manner,” she said.
Fifi added that network recovery has reached around 97 percent in North Sumatra, 99 percent in West Sumatra, and approximately 80 percent in Aceh.
Telkomsel Human Capital Management Director Indrawan Ditapradana said the delivery marked the fourth wave of assistance, following earlier shipments on Dec. 15, 16, and 17. He said all facilities were provided free of charge to affected communities.
“Telecommunications are the backbone of recovery and coordination,” Indrawan said.
He added that Telkomsel plans to send a fifth aid shipment on Friday, consisting of copies of the Quran, prayer mats, prayer garments, and new clothing for disaster-affected residents.
