In the vast, rugged landscapes of Papua—where mountains cut deep into the clouds and villages perch along isolated rivers—the simple act of connecting to the internet has long been a luxury. For decades, the island’s remoteness has stood as both its beauty and its barrier. Now, that story is changing. The Indonesian government, working hand in hand with Papua’s provincial administration, has officially launched 250 new Starlink-based internet service points across the region’s most remote and underdeveloped districts.
The move is part of a broader national commitment to ensure digital equality in Indonesia’s 3T regions—short for Terdepan, Terpencil, dan Tertinggal, meaning frontier, remote, and disadvantaged. These are the places that have often been left behind in the country’s rapid march toward modernization.
Governor Mathius Fakhiri, who inaugurated the program on October 31, 2025, described the initiative as “a strategic step to ensure that every Papuan, from the mountains to the coast, can enjoy equal access to information, education, and opportunity.” Supported by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo), the deployment brings total internet service points in Papua to more than 300 sites, marking a milestone in the region’s long-awaited digital transformation.
Connecting the Unreachable
The 250 Starlink internet points were installed strategically in seven regencies: Waropen, Biak Numfor, Supiori, Kepulauan Yapen, Sarmi, Jayapura Regency, and Mamberamo Raya. These districts are home to some of Papua’s most geographically isolated communities—places where traditional telecommunications infrastructure has proven difficult and expensive to build due to mountainous terrain, dense forests, and scattered island clusters.
Each installation site is located at essential public facilities such as schools, community health centers (puskesmas), district offices, and even houses of worship. For these institutions, internet access means far more than connectivity—it means empowerment. A remote health post can now consult with doctors in Jayapura or Jakarta through telemedicine; teachers can access digital learning resources; village officials can send reports without trekking for hours to find a signal.
The installations also use solar-powered systems to ensure reliability in areas with limited or unstable electricity supply. As Papua’s Communication and Informatics Office noted, this self-sustaining model is crucial for long-term operation in areas beyond the reach of the national power grid.
Starlink and the Satellite Revolution
The deployment of these internet points utilizes Starlink satellite technology, a low-Earth orbit (LEO) system capable of delivering high-speed broadband to even the most isolated locations. The partnership represents a shift in Indonesia’s connectivity strategy—away from solely relying on terrestrial fiber or cellular infrastructure, toward a hybrid model that leverages the strengths of satellite communications.
According to the provincial government, the decision to integrate Starlink was based on the system’s proven ability to maintain stable connections in high-terrain and rural environments. This marks a technological leap for Papua, where conventional networks often fail due to geographic and logistical challenges.
Governor Fakhiri called the collaboration “a game changer for development,” noting that the satellite service would “allow equal access to information and public services and open new doors for economic progress.”
The Papua initiative also aligns with the national digital transformation roadmap, which prioritizes universal connectivity by 2045—Indonesia’s centennial year of independence. Under this framework, satellite internet is expected to play a crucial role in connecting the nation’s farthest frontiers, from the highlands of Papua to the islands of Maluku and Nusa Tenggara.
Why Connectivity Matters: Education, Health, and Economy
For most Papuans, internet access is not simply a matter of convenience—it is a lifeline to opportunity. In education, the lack of connectivity has been one of the main obstacles to quality learning. Many rural schools still operate without access to digital materials or online training. With the arrival of these new internet points, teachers and students can finally join online classrooms, download educational videos, and communicate with schools and universities across Indonesia.
In healthcare, digital access enables telemedicine, where local clinics can consult doctors in real time, request remote diagnostics, and update medical records online. During past emergencies—such as the COVID-19 pandemic—the absence of such connectivity left many Papuan health workers isolated from national health databases. The new network, officials hope, will prevent such gaps in the future.
Economically, the benefits are equally profound. Small entrepreneurs, farmers, and fishermen in the 3T regions can now sell their products online, check market prices, and access digital financial services. What once required a day-long trip to town can now be done through a smartphone. The internet becomes not just a source of information but a bridge to markets, customers, and livelihoods.
According to Papua’s Communication Office, these digital opportunities are expected to help increase local economic participation by reducing isolation and transaction costs. “When a craftsman in Yapen can sell directly to buyers in Surabaya or even abroad, it means the digital economy has truly arrived,” said a spokesperson for the agency.
Challenges on the Digital Frontier
Still, the road toward full digital inclusion in Papua remains challenging. Installing 250 satellite points is only the beginning. Ensuring that communities can effectively use them requires digital literacy training, device accessibility, and relevant content tailored to local languages and contexts.
Experts warn that without sufficient follow-up, infrastructure alone may not close the digital gap. “Connectivity must be paired with capacity,” said one Kominfo official. “People need not only internet access but also the skills and resources to use it productively.”
There are also maintenance challenges in remote areas, where weather, logistics, and power stability can affect service reliability. To mitigate this, local governments are forming partnerships with community organizations and village administrations to manage and monitor each internet site.
Additionally, some regions still experience occasional connectivity disruptions due to security tensions or natural factors. The introduction of Starlink is expected to improve stability, but resilience planning remains a key priority.
A Step Toward an Inclusive Digital Economy
Beyond immediate social benefits, Papua’s digital expansion carries national significance. Indonesia’s vision of a “Digital Golden Indonesia 2045” hinges on ensuring that every citizen—regardless of geography—can participate in the digital economy. That means empowering MSMEs, digital startups, and innovators in regions long overlooked.
Papua’s inclusion is not just a moral imperative; it’s an economic opportunity. The province is rich in natural and human resources, yet its development potential has often been hindered by poor connectivity. With improved internet infrastructure, new investment channels can open for tourism, creative industries, and local entrepreneurship.
A digital infrastructure that reaches the grassroots level also strengthens governance. E-government services—from digital ID registration to online tax systems and village reporting—can operate more efficiently when internet access is stable. It allows for greater transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.
From Vision to Reality: Papua’s Digital Future
Governor Fakhiri’s administration envisions a “New Papua” (Papua Baru)—one that is connected, innovative, and inclusive. This digital initiative represents a tangible step toward that vision. It aligns with broader government programs such as the Indonesia Digital Roadmap 2024, which outlines key priorities in infrastructure, human capital, and innovation ecosystems.
For residents in places like Mamberamo Raya or Waropen, this transformation is already visible. Teachers who once relied on printed textbooks now use online lessons. Health workers can consult specialists through video calls. Local youth can access scholarships and job postings online. These seemingly small changes represent a profound shift in the daily lives of Papuans—one that bridges the gap between isolation and inclusion.
As one school principal in Supiori reportedly told Antara News, “For the first time, our students can watch a virtual science class from Jakarta. It feels like the world has finally arrived in our village.”
Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Momentum
To ensure the success of this digital expansion, both the central and provincial governments are developing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. These will track usage levels, service quality, and community benefits. Plans are also underway to integrate the system with educational and health platforms to maximize social impact.
The next phase may see private-sector participation, where local entrepreneurs manage Wi-Fi access points or digital service kiosks, creating micro-business opportunities. There is also potential for collaboration with NGOs to provide training and digital literacy programs, especially targeting women and youth.
If implemented effectively, the Papua model could serve as a blueprint for other remote provinces, demonstrating how technology can drive inclusion even in the most challenging terrains.
Conclusion
The installation of 250 Starlink internet points across Papua’s 3T regions is more than a technical achievement—it is a statement of intent. It symbolizes Indonesia’s determination to ensure that every citizen, regardless of location, can connect to the same digital world that drives opportunity elsewhere.
For Papua, connectivity is not the end goal but the beginning—a foundation upon which education, health, governance, and economic participation can flourish. The signal that now beams across the mountains and islands is more than data; it is a promise—a promise of inclusion, equality, and hope for a generation ready to step confidently into the digital age.
As Governor Fakhiri aptly summarized:
“When all Papuans are connected, it means development has truly reached every corner of our land. This is the spirit of Indonesia—one network, one nation, moving forward together.”
