The Government to Put Indonesian Broadband as the Second Best in SEA by 2019

The Indonesian government targeted to have the second best broadband in Southeast Asia, and the Ministry of Communication and Information said that this could be achieved in 2019. In order to turn the objective into reality, Indonesia still has tons of homework to do, particularly regarding the establishment of supporting infrastructure for complete broadband procurement.

The synergy between the government and telcos should also be built intensively, considering that Indonesia is an archipelago. Rudiantara, the Minister of Communication and Information, revealed during an event at Century Atlet Jakarta Hotel last Tuesday, “Now, Indonesian broadband is ranked the fourth in ASEAN, after Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. If we are consistent on this, let’s say in 4G development, we can be second after Singapore in 2019.”

He also stated that the government is still attempting to optimize the cellular network so that it would be able to accommodate the telecommunication on 4G tech completely. He said:

“The 900 MHz frequency has been implemented, and the 1800 MHz will soon follow by this year. There are also a number of other frequency types that we’re preparing to be migrated to 4G. After 1800 MHz, we’re going to prepare 2100 MHz. There would also be 2300 MHz, which is even more complex since there is regional 3MHz-BWA which has yet been allocated.”

Telcos in Indonesia are preparing themselves to hold 4G on 1800 MHz frequency. The attempt is to relocate the frequency so that the band it has would be able to serve 4G comercially. The government also expected that the technology can be implemented as of this year.

According to Rudiantara, there are two main points regarding the broadband optimation in Indonesia, which are the optimal implementation of the broadband itself and how to push the utilization of the broadband so that it may provide efficiency to local industry’s productivity.

Talking about Indonesian broadband, the penetration of fixed broadband (wired) internet in ASEAN region has a consistently increasing trend for year to year, as the number stated on the Ministry’s report suggests. In Indonesia, the penetration of the number of fixed broadband users is at 1 percent. The growth is followed by the consistently increasing user penetration. In 2014, there were 3,2 customers of fixed broadband recorded in Indonesia.

Regarding the access speed, Indonesia does also have plenty of homework to do.

Distribution is indeed one of prominent challenges faced by the broadband optimation in Indonesia. The unstable connection is still the main issue, even in cities within Java Island, let alone it’s distribution outside Java. While Jakarta and other big cities are ready for 4G implementation, some small cities can’t even stand for an optimal 3G connection.

If optimal broadband and independent population are what the government dreams of, then equal distribution should be put as their very first priority. By holding a proper communication technology, the central regulators may even have their eyes set on issues in rural areas.

In conclusion, let’s hope that this target by the government may prosper Indonesia as a whole, not only certain areas or cities.