Barat Timur Indonesia-1 (BTI-1)

Overview

The Barat Timur Indonesia-1 (BTI-1) is a 4,500-kilometer submarine cable system designed to enhance domestic connectivity within Indonesia. Scheduled to be ready for service in 2028, the BTI-1 will link six key coastal cities across the Indonesian archipelago. The cable aims to address the growing demand for high-speed internet and reliable data transmission in one of the world's largest archipelagic nations. By connecting major urban and economic hubs, the BTI-1 will play a critical role in strengthening Indonesia's telecommunications infrastructure and supporting its digital transformation initiatives.

Indonesia, with over 17,000 islands, faces unique challenges in ensuring robust connectivity across its vast territory. The BTI-1 cable is a strategic response to these challenges, providing a backbone for improved data flow and fostering economic growth in both eastern and western regions of the country. The project is owned and operated by Super Sistem (PT Super Sistem Data), a prominent Indonesian telecommunications company.

Route and Landings

The BTI-1 cable connects six strategically chosen landing points in Indonesia, ensuring robust coverage across the archipelago. The landing points are:

• Balikpapan, a key port city in East Kalimantan known for its oil and gas industries.
• Gresik, located in East Java, a major industrial and trading hub.
• Makassar, the largest city in Sulawesi and a critical economic center in eastern Indonesia.
• Manado, a northern Sulawesi city with growing importance in trade and tourism.
• Nongsa, situated on Batam Island, a key location near Singapore and a hub for technology and data centers.
• Tanjung Pakis, in West Java, strategically positioned near the capital region.

The route of BTI-1 spans diverse marine environments, crossing the Java Sea, the Makassar Strait, and other critical waterways. These seas are vital for Indonesia's maritime economy, and the cable's path reflects the need to connect key economic and population centers. By linking these cities, the BTI-1 will facilitate improved communication and collaboration across Indonesia's vast geography.

Ownership and History

The BTI-1 cable is owned and operated by Super Sistem (PT Super Sistem Data), an Indonesian company established in 2003. Super Sistem is known for providing data center and network services to a wide range of clients, including government agencies, financial institutions, and private enterprises. The company's extensive experience in the telecommunications sector positions it well to manage the BTI-1 project effectively.

The decision to develop BTI-1 reflects Indonesia's broader efforts to modernize its telecommunications infrastructure. As the demand for digital services continues to grow, particularly in remote and underserved regions, the BTI-1 cable is expected to play a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide. The project aligns with Indonesia's national goals of fostering economic development and improving access to technology in both urban and rural areas.

What Our Measurements Show

Our monitoring of the BTI-1 system includes 21 measured corridors, providing insights into its performance and reliability. The best measured round-trip time (RTT) is 24 milliseconds, while the average RTT across all corridors is 199 milliseconds. These metrics indicate the cable's potential to deliver low-latency connections, which are critical for modern applications such as cloud computing, video conferencing, and real-time data processing.

The BTI-1's performance metrics underscore its capacity to support Indonesia's growing digital economy. By connecting key cities with low-latency links, the cable will enable faster and more reliable communication, benefiting businesses, educational institutions, and government services. These improvements are expected to contribute significantly to Indonesia's digital transformation and economic growth.