In Indonesia, there are still gaps in telecommunication access. Many rural areas experience the problem of “no signal”, while urban areas can enjoy modern technology that provides benefits to society. To overcome this gap, a comprehensive framework is needed that can balance telecommunications access between “rich” and “poor” groups in the area. urban and rural areas and become a reference for granting universal access that can penetrate boundaries of geographical and social isolation in the Indonesian context.
Realizing this, Anna Christina brought this topic into her dissertation entitled ‘Development of the Indonesian Telecommunication Access Grid Framework Using the Multi-Stage Statistical Approach (MSSA) Model’. In her research, Anna developed a telecommunication grid framework specifically designed for Indonesia. These grids are formed based on sub-district polygons that combine telecommunication networks and socio-economic data.
Each grid is built based on 55 empirical data indicators covering important aspects such as socio-economic needs and the availability of telecommunications networks. Then, these indicators are formulated into 17 indicators that reflect the dimensions of socio-economic reach (needs) and geographical reach (availability of telecommunications networks). Furthermore, Anna uses a statistical approach called MSSA to analyze data quantitatively.
It uses five different scenario options, namely 25:75 weighting, 50:50 weighting, 75:25 weighting, K-means Machine Learning Algorithm, and K-Means Deep Learning Algorithm. Through this process, a grid model was produced which divided the sub-districts into four categories based on the level of telecommunication access and socio-economic conditions. These categories are grid #1: “developed” districts, grid #2: “developing” districts, grid #3: “advanced” districts, and grid #4: “independent” districts.
To test the success of the grid framework she has developed, Anna conducted a Proof of Concept using the DKI Jakarta Province case and a random sample of 1% of Indonesia’s population. The results showed that the best scenario is scenario 2 with a weighting of 50:50 because it has the highest accuracy rate of 95.5% based on the results of the confusion matrix on grid #4, namely the Advanced District.
In her conclusion, Anna suggested that 5G deployment should start in sub-districts that are considered feasible in terms of market potential and infrastructure support, namely grid #4. The hope is that in the not-too-distant future, 5G deployment can be expanded according to the increasing demand in other locations. The developed grid framework is also expected to be a solution to overcoming telecommunication access disparities.
Prof. Dr. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU, Dean of the UI Faculty of Engineering (FTUI), said, “Cellular telecommunication technology will continue to develop over time. The framework resulting from Anna’s research is expected to be able to help deploy 5G on the 3.5 GHz band while solving disparity problems in telecommunication access in Indonesia.”
A research dissertation on the development of a grid framework for telecommunication access in Indonesia succeeded in bringing Anna Christina to a doctorate on June 8, 2023. Anna is listed as the 155th doctoral graduate of the Department of Electrical Engineering and the 501st doctorate of the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia. The open session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Ir. Yanuar, M.Eng., M.Sc with promoter Prof. Dr. Ir. Dadang Gunawan, M.Eng., and co-promoter Prof. Dr. Muhammad Suryanegara, S.T., M.Sc., IPU. While the examiner team consisted of Prof. Dr. Ir. Muhamad Asvial, M.Eng .; Prof. Dr. Ir. Harry Sudibyo S., DEA.; Ajib Setyo Arifin, S.T., M.T., Ph.D .; Ibrahim Kholilul Rohman, M.S.E., Ph.D.; and Dr. Ir. Ismail, M.T.
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Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia