RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia has taken a major step in expanding digital infrastructure across its eastern frontier with the inauguration of the Pukpuk Submarine Cable System (Puk-Puk 1), the first direct digital link connecting Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

The project, developed by PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk through its subsidiary PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia International (Telin), marks a milestone in cross-border connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

At the launch ceremony in Telkom Witel Jayapura, Papua, on Friday, May 8, 2026, Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Angga Raka Prabowo underscored the importance of equitable and sustainable digital transformation to support balanced national development.

“Connectivity must be built evenly, not concentrated, and sustained so that all regions, including Eastern Indonesia, have equal opportunities to grow within the digital economy ecosystem,” Angga said in Telkom’s statement on Saturday, May 9, as quoted by Antara.

Angga praised TelkomGroup’s commitment to strengthening national digital infrastructure through the Pukpuk cable, describing it as a vital component in creating reliable and resilient connectivity that benefits communities in Eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and beyond.

The inauguration was attended by Telkom Indonesia President Director Dian Siswarini, Telkom Wholesale and International Service Director Budi Satria Dharma Purba, Papua New Guinea Vice Consul in Jayapura Leon Galemo, Papua Provincial Government representative L. Christian Sohilait, Telin CEO Kharisma, and PNG DataCo CEO Paul Komboi.

Telkom noted that the Pukpuk cable is the first cross-border submarine cable in the Asia-Pacific directly linking Indonesia’s network with Papua New Guinea.

The Jayapura landing station operated by Telin serves as a gateway to PNG’s Kumul Telkom Holdings, channeling capacity from the SEA-US international cable to remote provinces in Papua New Guinea via Vanimo.

With the system now operational, Jayapura benefits from two independent international connectivity routes: one linking Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua, and another connecting Vanimo to Jayapura, then extending to Manado and onward to Los Angeles via the SEA-US cable.

This diversity route enhances the resilience of Papua’s digital infrastructure by ensuring service continuity.

Telkom President Director Dian Siswarini emphasized that the project reflects TelkomGroup’s commitment to integrating Eastern Indonesia into the global connectivity ecosystem.

“With Pukpuk, TelkomGroup not only strengthens digital infrastructure in Papua but also demonstrates that Eastern Indonesia is an integral part of global connectivity,” she said.

She added that the initiative is expected to boost regional connectivity while opening opportunities for broader digital collaboration.

PNG DataCo CEO Paul Komboi highlighted that the geographic proximity of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea requires strong and resilient digital links. He noted that the Pukpuk cable represents not just infrastructure, but also the beginning of deeper digital integration between the two nations. ***