(Indonesia Broadcast Matters- IBM) KOMINFO is going to launch TVRI repeater in Bagansiapiapi, Rokan Hilir regency, Riau province for DVB-T2 transmission in Q4 2022, will RRI Pekanbaru PRO-1 launch its repeater there too?

Last year, I had watched an Indonesian receiving Malaysia FM radio stations in Rokan Hilir, Riau Province, Indonesia. In the regency, there has more Malaysia FM/TV stations, transmitted from Gunung Ulu Kali, meanwhile Indonesia local stations are very less.

For FM radio, there is only 1 local radio station broadcasting in Rokan Hilir, namely Radio Diva Nusantara on FM 100.3MHz, but the Indonesia public broadcaster Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) and Televisi Republik Indonesia (TVRI) have no terrestrial coverage in Rokan Hilir. 

This cause Rokan Hilir people accessing Malaysia TV/radio channels than Indonesia local ones. Hence, the Indonesia government is worrying the people nearby bordering region will lose the nationalism identity by accessing neighboring countries TV and radio stations.

 

I read one news article about television in Rokan Hilir. In October 2021, the information ministry of Indonesia, KOMINFO is going to build TVRI repeater in Rokan Hilir for DVB-T2 transmission. The construction of TVRI repeater tower is going to be started in early 2022, and expected to be completed before November 2022. (Source: Riau Potenza)

 

 

When TVRI repeater tower in Rokan Hilir is completed, people in this regency can watch TVRI channels via DVB-T2 transmission by using UHF antenna, instead of purchasing expensive satellite parabola dish. About TVRI Rokan Hilir tower, I don't think other Indonesia television broadcasters like Indosiar, RCTI, anTV, MNC TV, Trans TV etc have the interest to expand their coverage to Rokan Hilir due to commerical reasons, even they are not available in Bengkalis, Dumai, Kepulauan Meranti and Rokan Hulu within Riau Province. These private broadcasters are mainly focusing in the cities and urban towns where generate more commercial revenue than rural and remote areas.

After TVRI launches DVB-T2 repeater in Rokan Hilir, I believe Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) will also launch its radio station in Rokan Hilir, mostly PRO-1 channel, either relay from RRI Bengkalis or RRI Pekanbaru.

In my opinion, RRI Pekanbaru PRO-1 is more to mainland, meanwhile RRI Bengkalis PRO-1 is more to island, then Rokan Hilir is located in mainland of Riau province, hence I believe Radio Republik Indonesia will launch RRI Pekanbaru PRO-1 repeater in Rokan Hilir as RRI Pekanbaru PRO-1 also has a repeater for Rokan Hulu by locating transmitter tower in Pasir Pengaraian.

I'm not sure what will be output power of TVRI DVB-T2 broadcast in Rokan Hilir. If it operates at medium or high power, it may be possible for Malaysia people who are staying in coastal areas of Klang (eg: Pulau Indah, Pulau Carey & Pulau Ketam) and Kuala Langat (eg: Morib, Banting) to access TVRI channels by using UHF antenna.

I will update any information of TVRI Rokan Hilir DVB-T2 repeater frequency by end of 2022 or next year once the tower is operated officially.