SENTANI — The Papua Provincial Government, through the Papua Communication and Informatics Agency, has strengthened digital connectivity support during the implementation of the 15th Lake Sentani Festival (FDS XV–2026), in response to the high level of public enthusiasm from the opening through the closing ceremony.

Head of Papua Communication and Informatics Agency, Jeri A. Yudianto, said the concentration of large crowds in a single location could affect the performance of mobile network services.

“During the opening and closing ceremonies, we could feel the mobile network slowing down somewhat. This is understandable because a high concentration of people in one location increases traffic loads and affects mobile service performance. Therefore, additional connectivity support is needed to ensure that people can continue accessing the internet,” he said.

For the main FDS XV–2026 event, Papua Communication and Informatics Agency collaborated with PT Telkom Indonesia through its INDIBIZ service by combining three modems with capacities of up to 300 Mbps and applying load-balancing technology to optimize connection capacity.

The internet connection was then distributed through free hotspots for visitors and business operators, while also supporting communication needs and cashless transactions throughout the festival.

“We want this connectivity to provide direct benefits to the public and business operators, particularly by facilitating internet access and digital transactions, which are increasingly becoming part of everyday economic activities,” Yudianto said.

In addition to serving visitors and business operators, the connectivity infrastructure was also used to support live-streaming production throughout the festival, allowing people who could not attend in person to watch the events online.

“We want the excitement of the Lake Sentani Festival to reach a wider audience through digital platforms. We are utilizing technology and connectivity to support the festival while also introducing Papua’s culture and tourism to a broader public,” he stressed. ***