APJII Advocates For The Participation Of Local Internet Service Providers In IKN Initiatives

Photo: ANTARA/Fathur Rochman

APJII Advocates For The Participation Of Local Internet Service Providers In IKN Initiatives

Monday, 12 Aug 2024

Muhammad Arif, the Chairman of the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII), has urged local internet service providers (ISPs) to participate in the digital infrastructure development of the Capital City of the Archipelago (IKN). "We aim for local entities to engage in IKN to ensure fair competition," Arif remarked in Jakarta on Monday. He noted that, at present, the majority of ISPs participating in IKN are state-owned, with local ISPs yet to play a role in the region's development.

Arif disclosed that APJII has established a representative office in Balikpapan, serving as the coordination hub for the Kalimantan region. According to data from APJII, approximately 50 local internet service providers are currently functioning on Kalimantan Island. "To my knowledge, this still includes ISPs from the 'red plate', specifically state-owned enterprises. I have also urged the authorities and the government to ensure that local stakeholders are involved in the collaborative development of IKN," he stated. He further emphasized that while the initial phases of IKN development necessitate the participation of state-owned internet service providers to expedite progress, he remains optimistic that local ISPs will be integrated into the IKN development once the region becomes fully operational.

In a recent statement regarding connectivity at the Capital City of the Archipelago (IKN), Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi announced on Thursday, March 14, that IKN benefits from dependable connectivity facilitated by PT Telkom Indonesia, a telecommunications company under State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). This development is part of the infrastructure project that includes the construction of the Telkom Smart Office (TSO) IKN, which commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony at the end of February 2024, attended by President Joko Widodo and SOE Minister Erick Thohir.

During that period, SOE Minister Erick Thohir indicated that TSO IKN was being positioned to serve as the telecommunications center of the archipelago at the earliest opportunity. Specifically, at IKN, Telkom has been entrusted with delivering dependable connectivity through the implementation of fiber optic backbone networks for fixed broadband services, in addition to offering 4G and 5G cellular services via Telkomsel, satellite communications, and WiFi.