Jakarta. Indonesia has launched a long-awaited “people’s internet” program that promises faster broadband at a fraction of current prices, as the archipelago seeks to close its digital divide and reduce its reliance on costly fiber-optic infrastructure.

The government officially rolled out the service, known locally as internet rakyat, on Nov. 12 after years of discussion, partnering with multiple internet service providers to bring affordable high-speed connectivity to underserved regions. Officials say the program is designed to bypass the slow and expensive fiber rollout that has long hindered digital access.

Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria said the initiative represents a major shift in how Indonesia delivers broadband. “This is not only about connecting people. It is about providing affordable, high-speed access without waiting for traditional fiber installation, which is costly and time-consuming,” Nezar recently said. 

The program relies on 5G-based fixed wireless access (FWA) running on the 1.4 GHz spectrum. Instead of wired home connections, users install a modem that wirelessly links to the nearest 5G tower, allowing rapid deployment in areas where fiber networks are unavailable or impractical.

The newly launched service is already available in parts of Java and sections of Papua–Maluku, with monthly prices starting at Rp 100,000 ($6) in Java and Rp 375,000 in eastern Indonesia. Registration has opened through providers such as Telemedia Komunikasi Pratama of the Surge Group, which offers pre-registration through its website. Coverage in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi remains pending due to separate tenders held by rival operator MyRepublic.

The program arrives as Indonesia struggles with some of the highest internet costs and slowest speeds in Southeast Asia. According to Cable.co.uk and We Are Social, Indonesia ranks among the most expensive markets globally for fixed broadband --12th highest worldwide and costlier than the US and UK-- with users paying an average of US$0.41 per Mbps per month. That is up to 20 times higher than regional neighbors such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

Despite these costs, Indonesia’s broadband speeds remain the second slowest in ASEAN.