Jakarta, INTI – The Indonesian government continues to encourage equal distribution of digital access throughout the country. One of the concrete steps now being taken is the provision of fixed internet services with speeds of up to 100 Mbps, which is focused on reaching areas that have not been touched by fiber optic networks or known as blank spot zones.
This program will not only target public areas, but will also prioritize public facilities such as schools, health centers, village offices, and households in disadvantaged areas. This initiative is part of the government's big agenda in accelerating national digital transformation, as emphasized by President Prabowo Subianto in his inauguration speech.
Digital Foundation for Economic Growth
Minister of Communications and Digital, Meutya Hafid, emphasized that the development of digital connectivity is a priority in supporting the improvement of the people's economy. “As we all know, the President has repeatedly conveyed the importance of digitalization as a foundation for the people's economic progress,” she said in Jakarta.
To support this program, the government is preparing a new frequency spectrum that will be allocated transparently to fixed network providers. The network model used is open access, meaning that the infrastructure built must be accessible and shared by other telecommunications providers.
Focus on Schools, Health Centers, and Village Offices
Data from the Directorate General of Digital Infrastructure shows the lack of fixed internet penetration in various public services. About 86 percent of schools, equivalent to 190,000 units, still do not have stable internet access. Similarly, 75 percent of health centers (7,800 units) and around 32,000 village offices are still in the no-network zone.
In addition, fixed broadband penetration has only reached 21.31 percent of households in Indonesia, showing that there is still room for improvement in this sector.
Operator Selection Starts This Year
The government has also prepared a Ministerial Regulation as the legal basis for the implementation of this program. The regulation was drafted through intensive consultation with the industry for more than a month, to ensure all parties are ready to contribute.
The service provider operator selection process will begin this year with an open, transparent, and accountable scheme, prioritizing technological readiness and commitment to deliver services at affordable prices.
Conclusion
The government's move to provide 100 Mbps internet to blank spot areas shows a real commitment to equitable digital access. With priority on public facilities and an open approach to network providers, this program is expected to accelerate the progress of the digital economy in all corners of the country.
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