TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Communication and Informatics Minister Rudiantara said that Google’s Project Loon is still awaiting clearance.

“Clearance from Transportation Ministry, air navigation services agency and the TNI [Amred Forces] Headquarters,” Rudiantara said Tuesday after the groundbreaking for Palapa Ring mid-package at Gotalamo Village, North Maluku.

Rudiantara explained that Google’s pilot Project Loon will be rolled out in Bangka Belitung. He expects regions without communication and information access to benefit from the project.

The Project Loon, according to Rudiantara, is like an aerial BTS as it would only receive terrestrial signals. “Some kind of receiving and transmitting station.”

Google plans to deploy Project Loon balloons in remote areas across Indonesia. They will serve as transmitters to deliver internet to the areas.

Google collaborates with Indonesian telecom operators in the project: Telkomsel, Indosat Ooredoo and XL Axiata. They had officially made an agreement with Google last year in the United States.

DIKO OKTARA