BossQ, how much do you rely on technology in your daily life nowadays?
If in ancient times we relied on written letters and postcards, today's communication media have developed so far. Information technology and the internet can be said to be basic needs in this digital era. Searching for information, doing work and communicating with people closest to you can be done quickly, easily and practically. Complicated things become simple, distant things become closer, even difficult things now have various solution options. Technology, which continues to develop so quickly, is often considered the future of Indonesia, especially with all the wide open opportunities for innovation and creation. Even so, technology in Indonesia still has a lot of room for improvement.
An article Remotivi in 2015 explains that these shortcomings are related to basic internet infrastructure. Internet access is divided into three backbones (backbone): international connections (international backbone), domestic backbone, and local backbone. Internet disruptions in Indonesia occurred because the three infrastructures had not been developed optimally.
This deficiency has not escaped the government's attention. Various infrastructure projects were launched to improve internet connections. For example Palapa Ring, which started from the Nusantara 21 program in 1998. This underwater fiber optic network has now been launched on October 14 2019 and reaches 34 provinces and 440 cities/regencies in Indonesia. Palapa Ring is a Kominfo telecommunications infrastructure project that is building a fiber optic network to reach all regions of Indonesia. This network will later become the foundation of all telecommunications providers and users of telecommunications services in Indonesia. Apart from that, Palapa Ring is intended to integrate all existing telecommunications networks.
Why is the Palapa Ring project so important? The existence of the Palapa Ring is fundamentally aimed at strengthening State Sovereignty and National Resilience through the availability of telecommunications infrastructure. PinterPolitik explains that this project has a long-term aim for Indonesia's progress so that it can excel in global competition which is getting tougher every day. Indonesia still experiences inequality in facilities such as uneven internet connections and services. Apart from that, as also explained in the article Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Kominfo), a good telecommunications network signal automatically makes internet access smoother and speeds up the flow of information. Apart from that, the construction of the Palapa Ring also aims to accelerate accelerated growth and equalize social and economic development.
The benefits of the Palapa Ring for the Indonesian economy can be seen from the progress it has made for the country's MSMEs, as reviewed in one article Good News From Indonesia. First, Palapa Ring makes access to information and communication more open. With better connectivity, MSMEs can carry out non-cash transactions easily, distribute goods to a wider reach, and bring local businesses closer to e-commerce and online stores. Second, entrepreneurial opportunities are becoming increasingly wider. Businesspeople don't need to have a shop and large capital to start a business, but can do it online. Apart from that, local businesses have the opportunity to enter the international realm. An effective digital marketing strategy can reach targeted markets, save marketing budgets, and even bring in greater profits.
By developing infrastructure that supports information and communication technology, the resulting benefits for Indonesian society will be felt widely. Through the availability of this large capacity telecommunications network, guarantees of high quality, safe and affordable internet and communication for the Indonesian people can soon be realized. This facility will also reach society equally, including those at the forefront, outermost and disadvantaged points (3T).
Through the various benefits of the Palapa Ring for the Indonesian economic landscape, not only MSMEs are encouraged to be able to enter the digital ecosystem, but also other business actors. Access to technology is open to every individual, so why not maximize it by Indonesian servants?
Introduction of Indonesian Fishermen to Advanced Technology at the Palapa Ring Festival
On March 20 2019, the Palapa Ring Festival was held at the Integrated Fisheries Harbor, Lampa Strait, Natuna Regency, Riau Province. One of the main agendas for this festival is the trial of the Nelayan Nusantara Application, a collaboration between the KKP and the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information. This activity was also attended by several important figures in the fishing industry, including the Regent of Natuna Drs. Abdul Hamid Rizal, Secretary General of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Nilanto Perbowo, and Director General of Capture Fisheries Zulficar Mochtar. Reported by the media It Works, this application allows fishermen to find out weather conditions, sea wave heights, location maps, and fish prices via their smartphones. They are also able to track the movement of fish in the sea so that the work they do is more productive. This way, servants can carry out daily activities much more easily.
Information from the media Radar Kepri explains that starting from the year In 2018, 12 Integrated Maritime and Fisheries Centers (SKPT) will be ready to operate apart from those in Natuna. A number of SKPTs that have also been prepared include SKPTs in Nunukan, Biak Numfor, Talaud, Morotai, Mentawai, Merauke, Mimika, Sabang, Rote Ndao, East Sumba and Saumlaki. The fisheries sector appears to be one of the focuses of development, as stated in President Joko Widodo's 9 National Development Priority Agenda (Nawa Cita) in his first term of office. One of the points on this agenda is to develop Indonesia from the periphery by strengthening regions and villages within the framework of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia.
The 2019 Palapa Ring Festival is an event to show collaboration between Kominfo, Qasir, and Aruna. Two Indonesian startup companies, Qasir and Aruna, are also trusted by the Communications and Information Telecommunications Accessibility Agency (Bakti) to contribute to the creation and use of technology to increase the productivity of fishermen in Natuna. Qasir also had the opportunity to demonstrate the use of the point of sales application to fishermen in the Lampa Strait. By using the Qasir application, it will be easier for fishermen to record stock, set prices and sell their catch. Apart from that, fishermen can also monitor their turnover and profits from their hard work on a regular basis. All of these functions are integrated in one neat digital recording system, but is still easy to use for Indonesian fishermen.
Qasir is present as an original application created by the nation's sons who are wholeheartedly committed to supporting all business fields, including MSMEs and fishermen. Qasir's vision is very clear, namely to create an ecosystem through integrated infrastructure, for anyone who wants to start and develop their business. This is also in line with the spirit of Palapa Ring infrastructure development which focuses on encouraging MSMEs throughout Indonesia towards the digital realm.
From efforts to develop more adequate infrastructure, Indonesian business actors in various sectors and industries have much easier access and facilities to run their businesses. The government is trying to carry out its role through the construction of the Palapa Ring and various companies, such as Qasir, are contributing through technological innovation that makes business processes easier. MSME players also need to play their role in seeking information and utilizing technology more optimally. Little by little, as long as we continue to strive to develop our business consistently, together we will be able to create superior MSMEs and a more advanced economy.
With Qasir, even fishermen can grin. Selling without worry, the results of the trade even make you happy!