Jakarta, IO – Indonesia now has the largest telecommunications equipment and testing laboratory in the whole of Southeast Asia with an investment of almost Rp1 trillion. Inaugurated by President Joko Widodo, this laboratory was named Indonesia Digital Test House (IDTH) or Telecommunication Equipment Testing Center (BBPPT).
Located in Depok City, West Java, BBPPT is equipped with sophisticated equipment to test various digital devices ranging from laptops to radars. The laboratory is under the purview of the Communications and Information Ministry’s (Kominfo) Directorate General of Post and Information Resources and Equipment (SDPPI), per Presidenri.go.id, Tuesday (7/5).
Jokowi said that the facility aims not only as a certification test center but was expected to become a research and innovation center. Thus, Kominfo has been directed to collaborate with universities, start-up companies and MSMEs in fostering research and patents as well as supporting the development and certification of local products.
“Digitalization is the basis for domestic industrial and economic development by prioritizing local producers,” said Jokowi.
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He lamented the dominance of imported technological devices in Indonesia, with an import value of more than Rp30 trillion. Therefore, it is hoped that BBPPT can encourage efforts to develop homegrown digital technology industry.
“We must not just be bystanders, we must not just be markets, and we must become the players, producers,” he said. (bp)