WAROPEN – August 1, 2025 — The Papua Provincial Government, through the Office of Communication and Information Technology, continues its commitment to bridging the digital divide in remote regions by distributing 44 Starlink VSat units to the Waropen Regency Government. The handover was carried out directly by the Acting Governor of Papua, Agus Fatoni, during his working visit to the region.

The symbolic handover to Waropen Regent, Fransiscus Xaverius Mote and Deputy Regent, Yowel Boari marked a significant step in the government’s efforts to provide equitable internet access in Papua’s 3T areas (Frontier, Outermost, and Disadvantaged). These areas include districts, villages, and isolated regions within Waropen Regency that currently lack reliable internet infrastructure.

“These devices must be properly maintained and utilized not only to support public services in education and healthcare but also to ensure the success of the upcoming Repeat Voting, especially during the data recapitulation process in areas without internet access,” said Acting Governor Fatoni.

The initiative is supported by the Papua Province Office of Communication and Informatics, led by Head of Office, Jeri A. Yudianto, alongside Technical Activity Executive Officer, Thomas Sibi. According to Yudianto, each VSat unit is equipped with supporting devices to ensure stable operation and coverage.

The supporting components include:

• Routers and access points for internet distribution and remote management;
• UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) units to provide temporary power backup and protect equipment;
• Wallmount racks for secure storage and device protection;
• Fast-charging solar panels to support deployment in areas without electricity.

“Most units will be installed at schools, public health centers, and district offices that currently lack internet coverage from mobile operators,” explained Jeri.

To address the specific needs of the General Elections Commission in remote locations, the Starlink systems use flexible roaming packages, adjusted to local human resource capacity and logical configurations.

“These devices are designed for mobile use and can be relocated based on demand. The Office of Communication and Information Technology will perform remote logic configuration, while regional working units in Waropen Regency will provide on-site personnel,” Jeri added.

This program affirms the Papua Provincial Government’s strong commitment to building inclusive, equitable digital infrastructure across Papua. Beyond enhancing public services, the initiative also strengthens the digital backbone needed to support the smooth and secure implementation of the re-vote in the coming days. ***