Minister of Communication and Informatics Johnny G. Plate has encouraged the utilization of digital space among West Papua’s residents following the provision of telecommunications infrastructure in the province.

“After the 4G services are readied, residents are expected to make the most out of the services through the use of digital space for the digital economy, MSMEs, ultra-micro enterprises, educational services, health services, and others,” Plate stated in Manokwari, West Papua, as quoted from a press statement, Thursday.

The government has readied programs to hone Indonesian citizens’ digital skills at the basic, intermediate, and advanced levels to develop digital talents in the country.

The ministry has provided the National Digital Literacy Movement for the basic level, targeting millions of participants from the general public. The curriculum encompasses digital skills, digital ethics, digital security, and digital culture.

“Of course, we expect all levels of the government to encourage the community to take part in the basic level of the National Digital Literacy Movement,” he remarked.

At the intermediate level, the ministry offers a Digital Talent Scholarship Program, especially for young people, aimed at boosting the participants’ skills and competitiveness, especially at the technical level.

“Ensure that West Papua Province takes part in the program and ascertain that the districts and cities here partake in the program,” the minister emphasized.

Minister Plate also invited the West Papua provincial government to encourage the development of digital talents in West Papua through the Digital Talent Scholarship Program.

Apart from the programs for basic and intermediate levels, the ministry provides leadership training at the Digital Leadership Academy for government and private sector leaders at the advanced level.

Earlier, Director General of the Telecommunications and Information Accessibility Agency (BAKTI) at the ministry, Anang Latif, informed that 4G BTS towers had been installed at 244 location points in West Papua from 2015 to 2020, and his side will add another 824 towers by 2022.

Latif remarked that apart from the 4G BTS towers, BAKTI had also provided internet and Wi-Fi access at public service locations, such as schools, health centers, and government offices.

Source: Antara News