Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid stated that the initiative is part of a national effort to accelerate digital equality, as mandated by President Prabowo Subianto.
According to her, digital connectivity is an important foundation in realizing economic growth in the community.
"During his inauguration speech, the President repeatedly emphasized the importance of digitalization to improve the economic well-being of the people," Hafid said on Saturday.
As part of the program, the government will allocate a new spectrum to be transparently distributed to fixed internet service providers. An open access network model will be implemented, requiring permit holders to share infrastructure with other telecommunications providers.
This aims to enable the delivery of high-speed fixed internet in areas without fiber optic networks, especially for public facilities such as schools, health centers, village offices, and households, Hafid added.
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According to data from the Directorate General of Digital Infrastructure, 86 percent of schools (around 190,000 units) lack fixed internet access.
Additionally, 75 percent of Community Health Centers (about 7,800 units) are not yet properly connected, 32,000 village offices remain in blank spot zones, and fixed broadband penetration has reached only 21.31 percent of households in Indonesia.
"We aim to ensure that every spectrum policy not only prioritizes regulatory compliance but also provides space for industry participation and readiness," she said.
Hafid also noted that the draft Ministerial Regulation serving as the legal foundation for the affordable internet program has been under consultation with industry stakeholders for over a month.
The operator selection process will begin this year through a transparent and accountable scheme, prioritizing technological readiness and a commitment to providing affordable service, she emphasized.
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Translator: Farhan Arda N, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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