Thursday, 01 October 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The North Sumatra Provincial Communication and Informatics Office (Diskominfo Sumut) has called on district and city governments to update data on areas with inadequate telecommunications and internet coverage and ensure its accuracy. The move is important to ensure that the development of communication infrastructure and internet networks is directed toward areas that genuinely require support.
The Head of the North Sumatra Provincial Communication and Informatics Office, Erwin Hotmansah Harahap, made the statement during a coordination meeting on updating cellular blackspot data across districts and cities throughout North Sumatra. The meeting was held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Transparency Hall of the North Sumatra Diskominfo Office.
According to Erwin, the government needs accurate data to map telecommunications coverage in each region. The data will serve as one of the bases for determining areas that need greater attention through the development of telecommunications and internet infrastructure.
"There are still areas that are actually already covered by a signal but are still recorded as blackspots. At the same time, genuinely isolated areas may be overlooked in infrastructure development proposals. That is why we need accurate data," Erwin said.
Erwin explained that several areas in North Sumatra still do not have optimal access to telecommunications and internet services. Limited connectivity not only makes communication more difficult for residents but can also affect access to various public services that increasingly rely on digital technology.
Cellular blackspots can also contribute to widening the digital divide between regions. Therefore, regional governments must ensure that all information regarding the location and condition of network infrastructure in the field corresponds with actual conditions on the ground.
Erwin emphasized that inaccurate data could result in the government directing infrastructure to areas where the need is relatively limited. Conversely, regions with genuinely limited access could be left out of infrastructure development priorities.
For this reason, Diskominfo Sumut needs accurate and up-to-date geospatial data from all district and city governments. The data will help the government conduct more measurable mapping before proposals for telecommunications and internet infrastructure development are submitted.
"Accurate geospatial data that is updated in real time forms the basis for proposals to develop telecommunications and internet infrastructure," Erwin said.
The North Sumatra Provincial Government, through Diskominfo Sumut, will subsequently use the Blankspot Sumut platform to update the data. The platform is designed to collect and update information on areas that do not yet have optimal telecommunications services.
The use of integrated data will also facilitate government planning for infrastructure development. With more comprehensive information, the government can better identify the needs of each region and strengthen coordination between the provincial government and district and city governments.
In addition to serving as a basis for infrastructure planning, updating cellular blackspot data is also closely linked to efforts to accelerate digital transformation in North Sumatra.
Erwin explained that comprehensive telecommunications and internet coverage is an important component in supporting the public's transition into the digital ecosystem. Adequate internet access can support various activities, ranging from public services and education to the economy and public communication.
"Updating this data also serves to accelerate digital transformation in North Sumatra and strengthen coordination between the provincial government and district and city governments," Erwin said.
In updating the data, Diskominfo Sumut divides cellular blackspot areas into two categories: complete and partial blackspots. This classification is necessary to provide the government with a more accurate picture of the extent of limited network coverage in each area.
A complete blackspot refers to an area where there is no cellular signal at all. Such conditions can occur in residential areas as well as public facilities, preventing residents from using cellular services normally.
Partial blackspots, meanwhile, refer to areas where a signal can still be received at certain points, but its quality and coverage are not stable. Under these conditions, residents may only be able to use certain services, such as voice calls and text messages, while mobile internet data access remains inadequate.
This categorization allows the government to obtain a more detailed picture of the situation. As a result, infrastructure development proposals can be prepared based on actual conditions in the field rather than merely relying on administrative information or outdated reports.
To facilitate the data updating process, all district and city governments in North Sumatra have been asked to appoint technical teams responsible for entering and updating the data. These teams play an important role in ensuring that the information entered into the system corresponds with actual conditions in their respective regions.
Diskominfo Sumut also urged district and city governments to submit complete and accurate data. Every piece of information submitted must be accompanied by valid supporting documents so that the verification process can be carried out properly.
Complete documentation is particularly important because the government requires evidence that can demonstrate network conditions at the reported locations. Verified data can subsequently be used as a basis for planning and proposing telecommunications infrastructure development.
Erwin explained that the North Sumatra Provincial Government will continue to monitor progress in data entry by district and city governments. Monitoring will be carried out through the SIGAP Dashboard, allowing the status of data updates to be tracked in real time.
"The provincial government will continue to monitor the progress of data entry in real time through the SIGAP Dashboard," Erwin said.
Regular updates are also an important step in maintaining data quality. The development of telecommunications networks can change the status of an area, particularly when operators install new infrastructure or increase the capacity of a network that was previously inadequate.
As a result, an area previously classified as a blackspot may change status after gaining access to a network. Conversely, the government must also be able to identify areas that continue to experience coverage problems even though they were previously recorded as adequately served.
Through joint data updates, the North Sumatra Provincial Government hopes that the map of telecommunications and internet coverage gaps across all districts and cities can be presented more accurately.
Valid data will help the government determine infrastructure development needs more precisely. At the same time, the measure is expected to strengthen coordination between different levels of government and accelerate a more even distribution of digital infrastructure.
Ultimately, updating cellular blackspot data is not merely about renewing administrative information. The measure is part of the government's strategy to ensure that people in underserved areas gain more equitable access to communication and information.
Based on accurate data, the government can determine infrastructure development priorities according to actual conditions on the ground. This is expected to help expand digital access across North Sumatra while accelerating the region's digital transformation. (IDNC)
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