Providing Satellite Internet Access as an Emergency Connectivity Solution in Disaster-Affected Areas of Aceh and West Sumatra
Partner : PT Aplikasinusa Lintasarta
Industry : Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Objective : The Lintasarta Starlink Free Satellite Internet Access Assistance activity aims to ensure the availability of reliable communication access in disaster-affected areas to support the emergency response process effectively. This program is directed toward smoothing the coordination of volunteers and medical teams in the field, supporting the operations of evacuation posts and public kitchens, and facilitating affected communities to stay in communication with families and related parties, especially in locations experiencing network disruptions and power outages.
Through the provision of satellite-based internet access at various distribution points, this program is expected to accelerate information flow, increase the effectiveness of aid distribution, and help restore basic communication functions amidst limited post-disaster infrastructure. The program’s targets include volunteers, medical teams, post managers, and disaster-affected communities in the regions of Aceh and West Sumatra who require communication access during the emergency response period.
Challenges :
The flash flood disasters that hit several areas in Aceh and West Sumatra caused serious disruptions to basic infrastructure, particularly telecommunication networks. This condition gave rise to various challenges that directly impacted the effectiveness of emergency handling and the fulfillment of the needs of affected communities, including:
- Severed communication access due to telecommunication network damage Power outages and damage to Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) caused internet and communication services to be inoperable, resulting in a communication blackout in affected areas.
- Difficulty in coordination between parties at disaster locations Limited internet access hindered coordination between volunteers, medical teams, post managers, and related parties in evacuee data collection, logistics distribution, and the delivery of important information.
- Limited access to information for communities in evacuation sites Affected communities had difficulty obtaining information related to aid, health services, and family conditions due to the unavailability of adequate communication facilities.
- Challenging geographical conditions and area access Several affected areas were in locations with limited access and difficult geographical conditions, meaning land-based communication networks could not be immediately restored.
Solutions :
In responding to emergency communication needs in disaster-affected areas, PT Aplikasinusa Lintasarta provided Starlink satellite internet access assistance by implementing various adaptive solutions in the field. This step was taken to ensure that internet services could still be optimally utilized by evacuation posts, medical teams, volunteers, and affected communities, despite being in conditions of limited post-disaster infrastructure, including:
- Provision and installation of Starlink satellite internet devices at evacuation posts and public kitchens to ensure the availability of communication access in affected areas.
- Provision of free internet access for volunteers, medical teams, and affected communities to support coordination, data collection, and communication with related parties.
- Adjustment of internet access bandwidth to maintain equal usage between post operational needs and community access.
- Operational coordination with post and public kitchen managers regarding device usage time, adjusting to the availability of power sources in the field.
- Adjustment of device installation points in optimal open areas to ensure stable satellite signal quality.
- Technical assistance and regular network monitoring during the emergency response period to ensure internet services run well.
- Provision of communication facilities that support aid coordination, logistics distribution, and the fulfillment of information and psychosocial needs of the affected community.
Impact :
The presence of satellite internet access provides a tangible impact on the disaster emergency response process. This program helps reopen communication access in previously isolated areas, allowing the coordination of volunteers, medical teams, and post managers to run faster and more effectively. Public kitchen operations and logistics distribution become more organized because data and information can be updated in real-time. For affected communities, internet access also plays an important role in psychosocial aspects, enabling them to communicate with family, obtain information, and reduce anxiety in the midst of a disaster situation.
SDG Relevance :
- SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure This program primarily contributes to SDG 9 through the provision of alternative communication infrastructure based on satellite technology in disaster-affected areas. The damage to land networks and the malfunction of BTS due to flash floods caused a disconnection of communication access at evacuation sites and aid posts.
- SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities This program also supports SDG 11, particularly in the aspect of increasing community resilience to disasters. The internet access available at evacuation posts and public kitchens helps affected communities stay connected with important information, emergency services, and family.
Delivering Access, Creating Tangible Impact
This collaboration focuses not only on providing technical facilities but also on efforts to create a real social impact for the affected communities. Reopened communication access helps people stay connected with family, obtain important information, and supports the recovery of basic services at evacuation sites.
Through Filantra’s role as a social program implementation partner, cross-sector collaboration continues to be developed to deliver solutions that are relevant and based on field needs. Let’s collaborate with Filantra to create a measurable and meaningful social impact for the community.