TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Telkomsel is providing free access to data on the official website for COVID-19 information in a bid to help the public obtain updated and credible information on the pandemic in Indonesia.

"This demonstrates Telkomsel’s consistency in being actively involved in helping all members of society that care about the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia," Director of Telkomsel, Setyanto Hantoro, noted in a statement received here, Saturday.

Telkomsel, along with several other stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and the Jakarta Provincial Government, is providing free data access to three official information platforms for the COVID-19 pandemic: www.covid19.go.id, www.infeksiemerging.kemkes.go.id, www.corona.jakarta.go.id.

Hantoro affirmed that the measure is part of Telkomsel’s commitment to working alongside the government, particularly taking into account the directives of the Ministry of Communication and Informatics for telecommunication operators to partake in offering services of good quality and capacity during the COVID-19 emergency period.

Hantoro is optimistic that the program would encourage the public to access updated and credible information in an endeavor to thwart the spread of hoax and false news surrounding COVID-19 in Indonesia.

"Telkomsel will continue to monitor developments pertaining to the COVID-19 crisis and support joint efforts to protect Indonesia in this emergency situation," he noted.

Furthermore, Telkomsel pointed to an around 13-percent rise in data-based services communication traffic since the community was concurrently adhering to the government’s appeal to study, work, and practice worship at home in order to stem the spread of COVID-19.

The surge was spurred by heightened activities involving internet access by customers in the use of e-learning service applications by students, conference meeting applications by workers, including activities of the general public to find the latest information on COVID-19 through several official information sites.

ANTARA