Affordable internet key to boosting Indonesia's digital economy: govt

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Affordable internet access is essential to unlocking a new wave of national digital economic growth, Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria said on Monday.

Currently, internet costs in Indonesia fail to meet the affordability benchmarks set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The United Nations agency stipulates that an entry-level broadband or mobile internet basket should not exceed 2 percent of a nation's monthly gross domestic product (GDP) per capita.

"If internet costs can be made affordable and achieve deep penetration across all sectors of society, the impact on our digital economy will be even more powerful," Nezar said in a statement.

To drive down prices and improve network quality, the ministry is aggressively expanding the country's digital footprint.

The government is currently tackling the digital divide across the archipelago through a mix of advanced technologies.

This includes deploying extensive fiber-optic networks, constructing Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), and utilizing Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to beam high-speed internet to remote, hard-to-reach regions.

However, Nezar cautioned that building physical infrastructure is only half the battle, noting that true digital development is measured by how effectively citizens can use the technology to improve their daily lives.

"Meaningful connectivity must drive social, economic, and cultural activities. That is why the ministry is currently focusing heavily on developing digital talent," Nezar explained.

To achieve this, the ministry is balancing its infrastructure push with robust digital literacy and talent development programs, aiming to enable the public to use technology productively to generate new economic value.

By combining affordable pricing, widespread infrastructure, and a digitally skilled workforce, Indonesia aims to secure a competitive edge and fuel its long-term economic strategy toward its "Golden Indonesia 2045" vision, Nezar concluded.

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Translator: Livia Kristianti, Yashinta Difa

Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono

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