JAKARTA. The Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) has urged the government to review Google X’s cooperation with the country’s three-largest wireless carriers for its Project Loon, which will test its high-altitude wind-propelled balloons next year.

BPPT Research, Information and Communication Technology Director Michael Andreas Purwoadi said the project would help widen internet coverage in Indonesia but that the government must take the security aspects into account.

"All research in Indonesia should be observed so it can be determined whether it will harm the government and the public economically," he said during a seminar entitled “Network Security Operation”, as quoted by tempo.co.

Mengusahakan Hunian Hijau Bagi Generasi Muda Indonesia

He cited a past case in which China had requested permission for its ships to enter Indonesian waters to launch a satellite.

The government had reviewed China’s request carefully to determine its effect on the nation’s information and communication security.

Google X’s Project Loon, he further said, should be treated similarly.

“[...] The balloons will be flown thousands of kilometers into our airspace, monitoring the wind movement and everything, using the frequency belonging to our mobile telecommunications services operators.”

Michael, however, said that he appreciated Google’s efforts as the project would provide internet access to thousands of scattered remote islands in Indonesia.

As previously reported, the vice president of Project Loon, Mike Cassidy, said that the project would see thousands of balloons flown in tropical areas such as Indonesia, to provide internet access.

If the test is successful, the project will be offered to private internet providers.

BPPT also launched during the seminar a test for its “Next Generation Firewall”, which is said to have more detailed internet traffic identification capability compared to the common firewall.