Jakarta, INTI – The cloud and hosting industry in Indonesia continues to grow rapidly in line with the increasing demand for digitalization across various sectors. In an exclusive interview conducted directly by the INTI Media team on March 6, 2025, Chairman of the Indonesian Cloud and Hosting Association (ACHI), Rendy Maulana Akbar, shared his insights on the industry's journey, the challenges it faces, and its future prospects, drawing from his more than 20 years of experience in the field.
Early Journey in the Technology World
Rendy Maulana Akbar is the founder and leader of Qwords, one of Indonesia’s leading cloud and hosting service providers, established in 2005. However, his journey in the industry began by chance. In the early 2000s, Indonesia was experiencing the second wave of the internet boom following the dotcom bubble crisis of 1998-2000. During this period, public interest in the internet started to rise again, marked by the emergence of blogs and email-based communication.
At that time, internet access was still expensive and limited to major cities. The cost of 1 Mbps internet could reach up to USD 4,000, making it accessible to only a handful of people. As a result, there was a growing demand for more flexible and efficient data storage solutions, but hosting services remained scarce.
Recognizing this trend, Rendy founded Qwords as a solution for individuals and businesses seeking reliable website and digital storage services. Through continuous innovation, Qwords has grown into one of Indonesia’s leading hosting providers.
Role in the Indonesia Cloud and Hosting Association (ACHI)
Rendy’s success in the industry led him to be entrusted as the Chairman of the Indonesia Cloud and Hosting Association (ACHI), an organization representing cloud and hosting service providers in Indonesia. ACHI was born out of the industry’s need for a dedicated platform to address its challenges and requirements.
The association evolved between 2003 and 2008, as hosting providers sought a unified platform. In 2012, the introduction of Government Regulation No. 82 of 2012, which mandated data localization within Indonesia, further reinforced the urgency for such an association. Finally, in 2015, industry players officially declared the establishment of ACHI, which was formalized in Yogyakarta in 2017. Today, Rendy has been entrusted to lead ACHI for a second term.
Vision and Challenges in the Cloud and Hosting Industry
As a leader in the industry, Rendy not only focuses on developing cloud and hosting services but also actively addresses key challenges in Indonesia’s cloud sector. Some of the major obstacles include:
- Infrastructure – Internet and electricity access remains uneven, especially outside Java.
- Geographical Position – Indonesia’s location in the southeastern edge of Asia means its internet connectivity still heavily relies on countries like Singapore and the United States.
- Dependence on Imports – Hardware for cloud services is still largely dominated by foreign products.
- Unfavorable Regulations – Local cloud services are subject to higher taxes compared to foreign providers, creating an uneven playing field.
Despite these challenges, Rendy remains optimistic that as more data is stored within Indonesia, internet costs will become more affordable, and national data sovereignty will be better protected.
Conclusion
As an innovator and leader, Rendy Maulana Akbar continues to drive the growth of Indonesia’s cloud and hosting industry. With his extensive experience and leadership at ACHI, he is committed to building a stronger and more competitive digital ecosystem in the country. His presence in the technology world not only brings transformation to cloud services but also helps shape the future of Indonesia’s digital transformation.
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