Pontianak, W. Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - Communication and Information Minister Rudiantara said he expected that all Indonesian regions will be connected through broadband internet by 2017.

"We have been forging partnerships with various parties to achieve this goal. In West Kalimantan alone, we will build a Palapa Ring which will connect the entire regions of Indonesia to a broadband network," Minister Rudiantara stated in North Kayong district, West Kalimantan, on Friday.

He also added that the entire Kalimantan island will be connected through the Internet.

The ministry will build base transceiver stations (BTS) from West Kalimantan to East Kalimantan at 75 locations to connect all the regions in Kalimantan.

Thirty BTS will be built in West Kalimantan to enable access to villages located outside but adjacent to the island.

"Ensuring internet connectivity will be in accordance with the third program of the nine goals or Nawacita. Under this program, the government intends to maximize the national development in the periphery regions," he stressed.

To optimize the network development program, the minister will go straight to some remote villages in West Kalimantan.

"On Sunday, Ill be visiting Entikong to see the communications network infrastructure in the border areas. Then, on Monday, I will be visiting Singkawang for groundbreaking ceremony of the Palapa Ring construction, which is a submarine fiber optic network to strengthen the Internet connectivity in Kalimantan," Rudiantara informed.

On Tuesday, the minister will continue his visit to Palapasang, Entikong sub district where a BTS is to be built. This region shares the border with a neighboring country.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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