Jokowi Wants L-Band Satellite Slot Secured

Indonesian President Joko Widodo speaks at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dinner in Washington October 26, 2015. President Jokowi is expected to bring home an investment commitment worth US$20 billion from his visit in the United States, Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi stated. [REUTERS/Yuri Gripas] ☆

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo asked his staff about the state's financial ability to secure the L-Band satellite slot used for mobile communications.

During the opening of a closed cabinet meeting, the President asked the Defense Ministry and the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology to give him the details of how much it would cost for the government to get the slot.

"I want more details about the budget, cost and what have been decided so we can follow-up on this," the president said here on Friday, December 4.

Jokowi said that L-Band satellite possesses great benefits, that's why, the government wants to procure it. One of said benefits would be to help develop communications in remote areas and outer islands.

The satellite can also be used to enhance marine communication systems and vessel monitoring systems.

Indonesia has an L-Band satellite that orbits in the mentioned slot, however, a fuel leak had caused the satellite to orbit outside its provided slot.

The government has decided to secure the slot—so that no other countries would take it—by confirming Indonesia's present in that slot.

The government plans to have the satellite used by the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), so that they can monitor natural disasters, sea and forest explorations, and have a general view and coverage of the Southeast and East Asian regions.

Rudiantara, Minister of Communication and Information Technology, said that Indonesia actually has several satellite slots for them to orbit on, but there is only one slot for an L-Band satellite, which is specifically used for mobile communications. 

  ☠ Antara