Indonesia to Accelerate Filing of CAKRA-1 Satellite with ITU

Barcelona, INTI – The Government of Indonesia is seeking to optimize satellite technology for monitoring national maritime resources. Minister of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) Budi Arie Setiadi discussed the acceleration of the completion of the filing documents for the CAKRA-1 maritime satellite with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin and Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau Mario Maniewicz.

“Regarding Indonesia's concerns about digital transformation, we need support from international institutions. ITU is committed to continuously assisting Indonesia in carrying out digital transformation,” he said after a bilateral meeting with ITU on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress 2024 in Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday (28/02/2024).

Minister Budi Arie stated that one form of support expected is the filing of the CAKRA-1 satellite, which will be used to monitor Indonesia's maritime conditions by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP).

“Indonesia is asking for ITU's assistance in expediting the evaluation and publication process of the CAKRA-1 satellite, so that it is in line with the CAKRA-1 launch schedule targeted for the end of June 2024,” he said.

According to the Minister of Communication and Informatics, CAKRA-1 is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite that will be used for various purposes such as fishermen and fisheries. Minister Budi Arie emphasized that satellite technology breakthroughs need to be optimized to support the development of the national maritime sector.

“We are an archipelagic country, our sea is vast so we really need satellite-based communication facilities and infrastructure. It will be followed up again,” he said.

The discussion on satellite filing with ITU is an administrative step required according to ITU standard procedures so that the KKP satellite can be launched and protected. The Ministry of Communication and Informatics is trying to assist the launch of CAKRA-1 scheduled for June 28, 2024. The CAKRA satellite will consist of several satellite units and will be technically discussed in a further meeting between the Ministry of Communication and Informatics and ITU.

In the meeting, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin also invited Indonesia to host the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) in 2025, which will be attended by approximately 1,200 people.

“Including asking Indonesia to host the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025. We will discuss it first,” said Minister of Communication and Informatics Budi Arie Setiadi.*Hans