The Papua New Guinea Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector delegation, led by the Minister for ICT, Timothy Masiu, has reached yet another successful meeting in its international bilateral engagement, with the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta, on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 April, 2024.

The dialogue between the PNG Minister for ICT and the Indonesia Minister for Communications and Informatics hatched a significant milestone towards fostering valuable cooperation between the two countries in ICT development.

Minister for Communication and Informatics of the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Budi Arie Setiadi, extended a warm welcome to the Minister for Information Communication & Technology for PNG, Timothy Masiu, upon his visit to the Ministry of Communication and Informatics Head Quarter in Jakarta, for the bilateral discussions.

In his welcoming remarks, Minister Setiadi emphasized the crucial role of ICT in driving socio-economic growth, citing Indonesia’s projection of 6.2 percent annual economic growth by 2045, with ICT contributing significantly to the national GDP.

“Information and communication technology is fundamental in enabling growth across all sectors in this digital era,” Minister Setiadi highlighted.

Minister Setiadi said as neighboring countries, collaboration in ICT and the digital sector between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea will serve as a stepping stone to advance the development of digital infrastructure and contribute in strengthening cooperation and mutual understanding in the field of ICT.

In response, PNG ICT Minister, Timothy Masiu, acknowledges the strong traditional and cultural ties between PNG and Indonesia and recognizes the Treaty of Mutual Respect and the Basic Agreement on Border Arrangement as the basis upon which PNG and Indonesia can further strengthen the cooperation between the two countries in the area of information and communication technology (“ICT”) development.

Minister Masiu highlighted the need for coordination of the use of the Radio Frequency Spectrum & Interference Management, broadcasting, ICT infrastructure development, along border areas including mobile telecommunication roaming and the bringing into use of submarine cable services as priority issues that need to be addressed to improve connectivity, facilitate trade and commerce between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Minister Masiu acknowledged Indonesia’s progress in growing its digital economy, particularly in aiding Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through innovation and incubation hubs and acknowledged the efforts of PNG and Indonesia regulators, stating that an enabling regulatory environment is essential for ICT and digital transformation and urged them to step up collaboration.

In their exchanges, both Ministers agreed to encourage, facilitate, promote and undertake joint activities that will contribute to the development of telecommunications, information technology and digital transformation for both countries.

Both Ministers expressed their desire for collaboration and cooperation in the field of ICT, proposing a engagement framework in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) initiated and presented to the Indonesian side by PNG.

The proposed MoU aims to address, among others;

  • Framework for Cross-Border Frequency Coordination that includes establishing and implementing mechanisms for managing radio frequencies across national borders, consistent with the International Telecommunication Unions standards and guidelines to address interference and roaming issues in the border areas;
  • Telecommunications, broadcasting and ICT Infrastructure Development including physical and digital connections between the two countries to strengthen information sharing, improve trade, economic growth and social wellbeing of our people by enhancing connectivity Mobile telecommunication Roaming in border areas;
  • Security of Telecommunication Infrastructure, and in the provision and use of telecommunication services;
  • Sharing of information and building capacity in high and emerging technology areas and exchange of expertise wherever possible;
  • Digital Transformation and Digitalization including exchange of information and practices to drive digital economy; and
  • Facilitating Trade, investment and technology activities through Telecommunication/ICT industry visits, events, exhibitions etc. as mutually agreed to by both sides, among others.

“The MoU will lay the foundation for bilateral cooperation that will further pave way for agreements and understandings between the various ICT agencies of the two countries towards identifying and implementing certain activities consistent with the objectives of this MoU, Minister Masiu stated.

Both Ministers propose ongoing collaboration and annual bilateral meetings to further
strengthen this partnership. Minister Masiu has extended an invitation to HE Budi Arie
Setiadi, to visit Port Moresby for their next meeting.

In addition to the ministerial discussions, a technical coordination meeting between the National Information and Communication Technology Authority (NICTA) of Papua New Guinea and the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (MCI) of Indonesia was held to establish a framework for coordinating the use of radiofrequency along the border areas.

Important outcomes of this inaugural technical coordination meeting include the agreement to develop a cross border frequency coordination framework between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia covering all Radio and telecommunication services along the border areas.

The meeting also considered and agreed on the mechanism to resolve Radiofrequency Interference along the border areas, which will protect important broadcasting, Mobile Telecommunication and satellite services in each country.

Minister Masiu said an agreement was reached for the main technical coordination meeting to be held annually and will involve service providers including broadcast and mobile network operators.

Involvement of mobile network operators will address issues such as roaming in border areas while assignment and use of specific frequency channels will also be covered to protect important AM and FM broadcast services.

“As a first step forward, PNG and Indonesia will now perform joint assessments and measurements along the border areas to collect critical data to enhance coordination and protection of important service in both countries,” Minister Masiu said.

He added that these joint measurements will take place before the next meeting, which PNG has agreed to host in line with the agreement to be reached by both Ministers