Central Jakarta, Kominfo – The Ministry of Communication and Information noted that until now there are still 226 areas that have not been reached by analog television broadcasts (TV), ahead of the implementation of  phase one of the analogue switch off  (ASO) program to stop broadcasting on April 30, 2022.

Director of Media Management, Directorate of Media Management, Directorate General of Information and Public Communication of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics, Nursodik Gunarjo, said the areas that had not been reached by TV broadcasts ( blank spots ) for TV would be filled with digital TV broadcasts because they had a wider range and more sophisticated technology than TV broadcasts. analog TV broadcasts.

“One of the passions for making digital TV broadcasts is how in the future we can fill in  blank spots  or areas that have not been filled with analog TV broadcasts,” he said in a virtual webinar on Digital TV Broadcasts from Eastern Indonesia from Central Jakarta, Wednesday (20/04). /2022).

According to Nursodik, the main cause of the  blank spot  is because analog TV broadcast technology cannot reach areas with diverse geographical conditions, such as the eastern part of Indonesia, especially Papua, so the broadcast coverage is limited.

Therefore, the government, through the government broadcasting institution (LPP) TVRI, is certain to immediately build digital TV broadcast network infrastructure in the leading, outermost and underdeveloped areas (3T), including the  blank spot area , after the ASO program is implemented.

“It has been scheduled in the next two years TVRI will build a network so that the 226  blank spot  areas can immediately be served digital TV broadcasts,” he added.

The Head of the Kominfo Coding and Statistics Service for West Papua Province, Frans H Istia, stated that his party fully supports the ASO program which in phase one covers a number of areas of West Papua, namely Sorong Regency, Sorong City, Manokwari Regency, Manokwari Sleatan Regency and Arfak Mountain Regency. .

The program is considered to be in line with the policy direction of the West Papua Provincial Government which wants to increase the reach of TV and radio broadcasts in areas that are still not covered by broadcasts, such as the Arfak Mountains district.

“In West Papua itself, most people use prepaid TV, such as using indihome services because there is no network,” he said.

Frans H. Istia hopes that this program will also be followed by the construction of TV broadcast network infrastructure in the blank spot area and also socialization regarding the provision of  set top box  (STB) assistance for underprivileged families.

The Head of Kominfo West Papua also requested that the Private Broadcasting Institution (LPS) also build broadcasting networks in various regencies and cities in West Papua because until now many areas can only receive TVRI broadcasts.

“In West Papua, TVRI has just arrived and in the main cities, such as Manokwari Regency, Sorong City, Sorong Regency and Fakfak Regency, maybe they can enjoy TV broadcasts, but after leaving the area they can no longer,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Papuan Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) Rusni Abaidata added that the Papuan KPI data shows that currently there are 70 broadcasting institutions that have official permits in Papua.

The broadcasting institutions consist of 23 TV LPS, 12 private radio LPS, 11 cable TV operators, and two LPP namely TVRI and RRI spread over seven districts in Papua Province.

“Meanwhile for local LPP there is only radio, there is no local LPP TV,” he said.

Rusni Abaidata hopes that the ASO program will make areas that have not been reached by analog TV broadcasts in Papua to enjoy better and more equitable TV broadcasts.

Digital TV broadcasts are also expected to trigger the development of community creativity in creating positive and creative TV content with local wisdom.

“We hope that ASO can reduce the challenges (TV broadcasts) in the Papua region. With the development of digital TV broadcasts, it will present creative content from local communities,” he said.

Source: Ministry of Communication and Information