Jakarta, INTI — Efforts to restore connectivity in affected areas have once again become a priority after the government announced swift measures to overcome communication disruptions across several regions in Aceh. During a meeting in South Jakarta on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, the government stated that Starlink’s satellite internet service would be provided free of charge for one month to disaster-hit areas. This initiative emerges as a solution to the breakdown of information access that has hindered aid coordination and community safety, while also demonstrating the government’s commitment to supporting recovery on the ground.
Starlink Internet Aid Reaches Multiple Affected Areas
Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Nezar Patria, explained that the free satellite internet program is a direct policy from Starlink to support regions experiencing disasters. The assistance has been distributed to several locations, including Pidie, Pidie Jaya, Bireun, Aceh Tamiang, Bener Meriah, and Takengon.
Nezar emphasized that the service has greatly helped residents in relief posts stay connected, send messages, and communicate with family members outside the affected areas. Although it occasionally experiences latency due to heavy rainfall, Starlink’s network is considered stable in supporting the community’s information needs.
Restored Communication Strengthens Aid Coordination
According to Nezar, internet access plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth communication among residents as well as between agencies. Starlink has helped people in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra stay in touch with relatives living outside the impacted zones.
“Overall, Starlink has functioned well in delivering messages and facilitating community communication,” he said.
Network Recovery Still Hampered by Power Supply Issues
Although satellite internet assistance has greatly supported the community, cellular network conditions in Aceh remain unstable due to fluctuating electricity supply. As of December 5, 2025, only 1,789 out of 3,414 BTS units or 52.4 percent have returned to operation.
The government targets 75 percent of BTS to be restored during the emergency response period. To achieve this, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs continues to coordinate with PLN to restore power supply, while Pertamina provides fuel for generators powering BTS in areas still without electricity.
Cross-Agency Collaboration to Restore Connectivity
Network recovery efforts are being carried out by the Ministry’s Monitoring Center together with mobile operators through a dedicated task force. Coordination is also being held with BNPB, regional governments, the military (TNI), and the police (Polri) to map areas urgently needing telecommunication access so that logistics and aid distribution can proceed more efficiently.
“Critical areas must be supported immediately so that aid distribution in affected regions is not hindered,” Nezar said.
Conclusion
The free satellite internet support from Starlink marks an important step in restoring communication in Aceh following the disaster. Alongside ongoing efforts to repair BTS infrastructure and strengthen inter-agency coordination, the government aims to ensure connectivity is restored quickly so that public communication and aid services can operate more effectively and safely.
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