The government has installed ten SATRIA-1 satellite-based internet service points in areas affected by flash floods in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra to accelerate connectivity recovery.
Responding to this measure, a researcher at the Center for Digital Society (CfDS) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Iradat Wirid, said that satellite-based services are highly beneficial for emergency communications but still require equipment readiness, inter-agency coordination, and more comprehensive disaster mitigation strategies.
Wirid explained that satellites can serve as a crucial solution when terrestrial communication infrastructure is damaged. Satellite-based infrastructure services provide a significant alternative in areas cut off by disasters. However, their effectiveness largely depends on the readiness of terminal equipment such as VSATs in the field.
“In many cases, these terminals can also be damaged or lost due to floods and landslides, so portable devices must always be available for emergencies,” Wirid said on Tuesday (Dec. 9).
According to him, installing SATRIA-1 access points in affected areas is an appropriate step to restore basic connectivity for communities. Nevertheless, providing emergency internet access is not solely a technological matter but also an organizational one.
“In disaster situations, coordination between institutions, both at the central and regional levels, becomes the first and greatest challenge. Often, each party waits for the other, making conditions more difficult for the public. That is why, from the outset, it must be clear who leads, who does what, and how the command flow works,” he said.
In the aftermath of the disaster, which claimed hundreds of lives, Wirid emphasized that communities need leaders who can navigate bureaucracy while also calming the public. Decision-making speed is therefore critical when infrastructure is destroyed, and people are in panic.
“We have lessons from major disasters such as in 2004, and with today’s far more advanced technology, we should be better prepared, as long as mitigation budgets are not continually cut,” he explained.
Furthermore, Wirid expressed hope that the use of SATRIA-1 would not stop at emergency response but become part of a broader strategy to enhance national preparedness. While satellite technology is important, it is not the sole solution to the communication challenges communities face.
He noted that the government needs to make substantial investments in mitigation efforts, disaster management, and, above all, public disaster literacy. Many people, he said, still lack basic knowledge of what to do in the event of disasters.
“This literacy is essential so that communities can provide an initial response while waiting for assistance, without feeling that ‘residents helping residents’ is the only option,” he remarked.
In closing, he stated that the presence of SATRIA-1 represents progress but must be balanced with careful planning, precise role distribution, and strengthened community resilience.
“The state is responsible for managing disasters, but a society that is literate in disaster preparedness will be far better equipped to face emergencies. With a combination of technology, coordination, and public readiness, disaster response can be faster and more targeted,” he concluded.
Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Illustration: Freepik