Indonesia’s Digital Revolution in Overcoming Challenges and Reaching the Future with the Internet
as the largest archipelagic country in the world, it faces unique challenges in developing internet network infrastructure. With more than 17,000 islands spread across an area of 1.9 million square kilometers, providing equitable and quality internet access is a complex task.
However, in recent years, Indonesia has shown significant progress in improving internet connectivity for its citizens.
The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo), has initiated various large projects to improve internet infrastructure. One of the most prominent is the Palapa Ring Project, which aims to build a national fiber optic network connecting all districts and cities in Indonesia.
This project is divided into three parts: West Palapa Ring, Central Palapa Ring, and East Palapa Ring. With the completion of this project in 2019, internet access in remote areas is expected to be faster and more reliable.
Apart from that, large telecommunications companies such as Telkomsel, Indosat Ooredoo, XL Axiata, and others also continue to invest in expanding and improving their networks. Mobile internet penetration has increased significantly, driven by the growing use of smartphones.
200 Million Users and the Challenges
Data from the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII) shows that internet users in Indonesia reached more than 200 million people in 2020, making Indonesia one of the largest internet markets in the world.
Despite much progress, there are still a number of challenges that need to be overcome.
Inequality of Access: One of the main challenges is the inequality of internet access between urban and rural areas. In big cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya and Bandung, internet access is relatively fast and stable. However, in many rural and remote areas, internet connections are still slow and unreliable.
High Costs: Internet access costs in Indonesia are still relatively high compared to other countries in Southeast Asia. Even though mobile internet rates have become more affordable, the price of household broadband internet is still a barrier for many low-income families.
Cybersecurity: Another challenge is the issue of cyber security. With the increasing number of internet users, cases of cybercrime such as online fraud, hacking and the spread of malware are also increasing. The government and private sector need to work together to increase awareness and education about cyber security among the public.
Quality of Service: The quality of internet service is also a concern, especially in areas that are not yet covered by fiber optic networks. Frequent connection drops and unstable speeds are still common complaints from users.
Digital Literacy: Lack of digital literacy among people, especially in rural areas, is also a challenge. Many people still don’t understand how to use the internet productively and safely.
Regulations and Policies: Changes in regulations and policies are often a challenge. Inconsistent or insufficiently supportive policies can slow down infrastructure development and the adoption of new technologies.
The Future of the Internet in Indonesia
Looking ahead, the future of the internet in Indonesia looks bright. The government has set a vision to become one of the countries with the largest digital economy in the world by 2045.
Digital Transformation: One of the strategic steps taken is the launch of the “Indonesia 4.0” roadmap which aims to encourage digital transformation in various sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture and public services. Digitalization is expected to increase efficiency, productivity and competitiveness of the Indonesian economy on the global stage.
5G Technology: Technological developments such as 5G are also expected to provide a big boost to internet connectivity in Indonesia. Telkomsel has started trials of the 5G network in several large cities, and it is hoped that it will be gradually expanded to all regions of Indonesia. This technology will open up new opportunities in various fields such as the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities and digital health services.
National Digital Literacy Movement: Initiatives such as the “National Digital Literacy Movement” program launched by Kominfo aim to increase the digital literacy of the Indonesian people. This program includes various educational and training activities to increase understanding of safe and productive internet use.
Infrastructure Improvement: The government and private sector continue to work together to improve internet infrastructure, including expanding fiber optic networks and increasing network capacity. Initiatives such as building data centers and developing cloud computing technology are also expected to support this
business and government needs in the digital era.
Digital Economy: With the growing startup ecosystem in Indonesia, many local technology companies are playing an important role in developing digital solutions for various sectors.E-commerce, fintech, edutech, and healthtech are some of the fields experiencing rapid growth and contributing significantly to Indonesia’s digital economy.
Regulations and Policies: The government also continues to update regulations and policies to support the development of the internet and digital economy. Policies such as tax reductions for technology investments and personal data protection are expected to create a conducive environment for the growth of the technology industry.
Technology Education and Training: Efforts to improve the quality of technology education and training for the workforce are also a main focus. Programs such as Coding for Kids, technology scholarships, and vocational training in the IT field are expected to produce human resources who are competent and ready to compete in the digital era.
Innovation and R&D: Increasing investment in research and development (R&D) in the fields of technology and the internet is an important key to driving innovation. Collaboration between universities, research institutions and the technology industry is expected to produce innovative solutions that can be adopted by various sectors.
Empowerment of MSMEs: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of the Indonesian economy. Empowering MSMEs through digitalization, including the use of e-commerce platforms and digital payments, is expected to increase competitiveness and market access for MSME players.
Supporting Infrastructure: Apart from the internet network, supporting infrastructure such as stable electricity, efficient transportation, and supportive regulations are also important factors to ensure the success of digital transformation in Indonesia.
The Right Strategy for Strong Collaboration
The internet network in Indonesia has experienced rapid development in recent years, but there are still many challenges that must be overcome to achieve equitable and quality internet access.
With support from the government, the private sector, and active community participation, the future of the internet in Indonesia looks promising. The ongoing digital transformation is expected to bring great benefits to the economy and quality of life of the Indonesian people, as well as making Indonesia one of the main players in the global digital economy.
With the right strategy and strong collaboration between all stakeholders, Indonesia can overcome existing challenges and take advantage of the opportunities offered by the digital era to achieve its vision of becoming one of the countries with the largest digital economy in the world by 2045.
source: https://dasarbaru.id/2024/07/17/revolution-digital-indonesia-dalam-mengatasi-tantangan-dan-menggapai-masa-depan-dengan-internet
