Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, has urged mobile operators to provide free Internet services for residents affected by Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki's eruptions in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara.
"We ask all mobile operators to provide mobile vouchers or data plans to allow residents to access the Internet free of charge," Hafid said, according to a written statement released by the ministry here on Wednesday.
Internet access must be provided to help residents obtain new information or updates regarding the eruption and for children to support their school activities, she explained.
President Prabowo Subianto has also instructed the ministry to provide and ensure Internet access for residents affected by the eruption, she added.
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Hence, besides free services, the ministry has asked mobile operators to set up integrated service posts to provide mobile services for residents affected by the eruption.
The ministry has also asked operators to report the coordinates of the base transceiver stations (BTS) that need to be repaired, she said, while assuring zero usage fee for each use of mobile frequency based on the government's Radio Station License (ISR) during the disaster response period.
"It is to help mobile operators who need alternative mobile backhaul when their optic fiber-based backhaul is disconnected," Hafid said.
Meanwhile, she noted that some mobile operators have set up service posts to serve affected residents.
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Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki is one of the active volcanoes in East Nusa Tenggara whose volcanic activity has fluctuated throughout the year, with eruptions starting on November 4 and forcing 11,533 people living in nearby areas to flee to safety. They are currently lodged in eight refugee shelters.
Since Tuesday, the Communication and Digital Affairs Ministry has set up service posts equipped with multimedia equipment to help residents access information, education, and entertainment services through the Internet.
The posts have been established in Konga, Lewolaga, Bokang, Ile Gerong, Kobasoma, and Eputobi villages, all located in East Flores district, which have been affected by the eruption.