Jakarta, INTI – Indonesia's vast archipelago and growing digital economy demand robust telecommunications infrastructure, In an exclusive interview conducted by INTI Media on the INTI Talk segment, Jerry Siregar, Chairman of the Indonesian Telecommunication Network Providers Association (APJATEL), shared his insights on the current state of Indonesia’s fiber optic network, the regulatory hurdles impeding its development, and the urgent need for strategic reforms to achieve national connectivity targets.
Fiber Optic Coverage: 900,000 km, But Underutilized
Indonesia’s fiber optic network spans an impressive 900,000 kilometers, representing a strong foundation for national connectivity. However its full potential has yet to be realized.According to Jerry, only about 30% of the 514 regencies and cities benefit from fully functional network infrastructure. “Despite the extensive deployment, much of this capacity has not been optimized,” he emphasized.
He noted that by 2029, following directives from President Prabowo, 100% connectivity across the nation must be achieved. However, reaching this goal requires breakthroughs, particularly in how the government and industry address regulatory and deployment challenges.
Key challenges and barriers
Jerry highlighted three primary obstacles hindering infrastructure expansion:
- Regulatory Fragmentation – Although national laws like UU No. 36/1999, UU Cipta Kerja, and PP No. 46/2021 encourage both central and regional governments to fund passive infrastructure development, implementation has stalled at the local level. “Disharmonized regulations make fiber optic rollout rigid and inefficient,” Jerry noted.
- Oversaturation in Urban Areas – The uncoordinated entry of multiple players into densely populated zones has resulted in redundant networks. Jerry proposed a moratorium on new providers in urban areas to ensure better utilization of existing capacity, which currently sits below 30%.
- Price Wars Among Providers – Aggressive pricing among network operators has stunted infrastructure investments. “Tariff wars reduce flexibility in deployment and jeopardize long-term sustainability,” he warned.
5G Implementation: Still Nascent, But Complementary to Fiber
Discussing Indonesia’s 5G rollout, Jerry clarified that fiber optics remain the backbone of the 5G ecosystem. “5G is complementary,it relies heavily on fiber for BTS-to-BTS connections,” he said.
While 5G adoption in sectors like industry, education, and healthcare is still in early stages, Jerry believes the real opportunity lies in Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC). This approach can improve network efficiency and reduce both OPEX and CAPEX, allowing telco companies to better align infrastructure investments with revenue growth.
Towards a Harmonized, Inclusive Digital Future
In closing, Jerry urged stakeholders to prioritize regulatory harmonization, infrastructure sharing, and strategic investment. He emphasized that the national interest—digital sovereignty and service accessibility for all citizens—must guide future policy and implementation.
“As an archipelagic nation, we need smart, collective breakthroughs to ensure every region benefits from digital transformation,” Jerry concluded.
Conclusion
With only four years left to achieve full national connectivity, Indonesia stands at a pivotal point in its digital journey. The vision laid out by APJATEL's Jerry Siregar serves as a crucial reminder: robust infrastructure, aligned policies, and efficient network utilization will determine whether Indonesia becomes a digital leader or remains digitally divided.
Read More: Jerry Siregar - Bridging the Digital Infrastructure Gap in Indonesia's Underserved Regions | INTI TALK