North Manokwari Untouched By Internet Access, District Head Says

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Residents of North Manokwari District in West Papua currently have no access to the internet. The North Manokwari District Chief Yusak Dowansiba, stated that telecommunication network is already accessible in every village in the area. However, local residents are still hampered with problems such as frequent power outages.

"There are telephone connections [but] we would like our people to be able to access the internet just like other regions," Yusak said.

In the past, Yusak had already filed a request it to the local telecommunication provider, PT Telkomsel. However, the company could not comply with the request because the company considered that there are not enough customers in the area to provide an internet service.

"There are 23 villages in North Manokwari, and most of them are Telkomsel customers," Yusak revealed.

Yusak nevertheless, hoped that the East Palapa Ring Program could help local residents enjoy internet access.

"We are aware that the internet is the window to information. We want the people of North Manokwari to be internet-literate and to not be left behind by urban citizens," Yusak added.

ANTARA