Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has pinned high hopes on the fully operational Palapa Ring projects boosting trade and bureaucracy in addition to enhancing public services.
"After we can connect it, market places in regions can also be connected to the national and global marketplaces. This will also boost our industry to increase its competitiveness," Jokowi stated at the inauguration of operations of the Palapa Ring at the State Palace here on Monday.
The president has appealed to local administrations to derive benefits from the Palapa Ring to realize greater effectiveness and efficiency in public services.
He also appealed to the public to become smart internet users and restrain from spreading hoaxes and slander.
"We must bear in mind that the fast growth of digital technology and connectivity should not be misused to spread hate speech or to share slander, hoaxes, and fake news. This must be restrained," Jokowi emphasized.
The head of state believes that Palapa Ring will offer equitable access to technology to all Indonesians.
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Palapa Ring is one of the government's priority infrastructure projects comprising a 36 thousand-kilometer (km)-long fiber optic cable network aimed at providing access to 4G services across the archipelago by 2019.
The Palapa Ring encircles Indonesia's seven island groupings of Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua and incorporates eight connecting networks.
The eastern section of the Palapa Ring is constructed along 4,450 km, comprising 3,850 km of sub marine cable and 600 km of land cable, with 15 landing points in 21 cities and districts. The eastern section covers East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, West Papua, and Papua.
The western section of the Palapa Ring covers Riau, Riau Islands, and Natuna, while the central section spans Kalimantan, Sulawesi, North Maluku, and Sangihe-Talaud Islands.
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