The North Maluku Provincial Government (Pemprov) is conducting a trial of the use of satellite-based internet technology (Starlink) as an effort to equalize internet networks in Blank Spot areas, especially in West Halmahera Regency.
"There are several areas in West Halmahera that still have poor internet access (blank spots). This is an obstacle for educational units to update basic education data (Dapodik) to the database system of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology," said Maluku Governor Sherly Laos after conducting a trial in West Halmahera Regency, Saturday.
He said that schools in blank spot areas had difficulty updating Dapodik because the required internet connection was not yet available and the installation of Starlink was expected to be one of the solutions.
However, the use of Starlink technology has not been implemented massively. The use of Starlink is only limited to trials at SMA Negeri 8 Halmahera Barat.
"The use of Starlink is just a trial and is not for public use. The installation of Starlink is for the benefit of student learning and updating administrative data and teacher reports to the education office," he continued.
The governor asked school principals and teachers to review the Starlink network that had been installed.