End of the great Indonesian Internet age?<\/p>\n
Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Four years ago, in the aftermath of the Asian economic crisis, a
\nvirtual industry exploded, promising to change the world.<\/p>\n
With former U.S. vice president Al Gore's declaration of the
\nso-called \"information superhighway\", the Internet was meant to
\nmake our lives easier. It was supposed to enhance communications,
\npromote cultural exchanges and educate the masses. The \"Worldwide
\nWeb\" would eliminate middlemen and empower small mom-and-pop
\nshops, turning their small neighborhood brick and mortar stores
\ninto virtual storefronts with global reach.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, the 'Net led to a \"trickle-down\" effect. Web-
\nrelated businesses began to spring up, cyber cafes became
\ncommonplace, as did Internet portals, web-hosting services and
\ndata centers. Internet Service Providers (ISP) increased from
\nfewer than half-a-dozen to over 50. Graphic designers, Web
\nprogrammers, content providers, marketing agents and brand
\nmanagers all had a field day, demanding huge salaries and getting
\nthem.<\/p>\n
Now, in 2003, in the aftermath of the dot-com bust, the ruins
\nof the Internet economy can easily be seen. Small Internet cafes
\nare closing by the dozen, information technology-related
\nbusinesses have been abandoned by the hundred and Internet
\ncompanies are laying off people by the thousand. The busy cyber
\ncafes now stand mostly empty while multiplayer game shops are
\nonly patronized by their most loyal customers.<\/p>\n
It seems that people are no longer interested in getting
\n\"online\" to chat with their friends, exchange e-mail or read the
\nlatest news. All the great stalwarts of the Indonesian Internet
\nage, such as Astaga!, Lipposhop and Satunet are either gone or
\nshells of what they once were.<\/p>\n
Does this mean the great Indonesian Internet experience is all
\nover? Actually, this is perhaps a good time to get into it.<\/p>\n
Practically everyone who signed up to a dot-com-related
\ncompany knew that the ride wouldn't last. At some point there was
\ngoing to be a market correction that would bring some good sense
\ninto that insane world of IPOs, venture capital and millionaire
\nshareholders.<\/p>\n
We just hoped that we were on the top before the bottom fell
\nout.<\/p>\n
Now, the \"Last Man Standing\" principle is in effect. Whoever
\nstands now has the possibility of becoming the leader (or perhaps
\nsole survivor) in an industry that still has enormous potential:
\nAn industry that no one else wants to enter.<\/p>\n
Those who have lived through this thrill ride are now older,
\nwiser and more experienced. These are the type of people who
\nembrace new technology and could lead Indonesia to rejoin the
\nglobal race toward an information-based society, to complement
\nthe agriculture and manufacturing sectors that exist today.<\/p>\n
Despite the rise in telephone and electricity costs, Indonesia
\nstill has a market for the Internet. Or perhaps more
\nspecifically, the \"mobile 'Net\". With a market saturation of
\ncellular phones in Indonesia, it is only a matter of time before
\nsomeone sets up a mobile \"home page\" filled with the latest
\ncontent and entertaining games. It could be a medium for
\ncommunicating news, market information, government policy and
\nads. All of which could bring in tons of revenue to the
\nparticipating partners.<\/p>\n
The market may be small compared with China or even Singapore,
\nbut the Indonesian \"mindshare\" does exist. It just has to be
\ndeveloped further. With the cost of cell phones and computers
\ndecreasing almost daily, more and more people can get online.<\/p>\n
Like the previous dot-com revolution, this new medium can be
\nused to teach, inform and entertain. The masses are now more
\nopen to the concept of paying for things that used to be free:
\nIt's just a matter of how much and with what.<\/p>\n
Now is the moment to seize the opportunity to start a company
\nwith clear goals and revenue streams. With an army of former Web
\nworkers in this country, we can get the jump before one of the
\nglobal conglomerates such as Yahoo! or Vivendi comes in. It could
\nbe a unique news site, an event-driven community program or a
\ncompany that offers unique supporting services.<\/p>\n
As with the Internet age, the IT-linked economy is vast.
\nEstablish a market base and develop it. Offer products and
\nservices within reasonable costs and continue to innovate. By
\nthe time others begin to take notice, you hopefully would have a
\nsix-month lead and what you do during this period would either
\nmake or break the company.<\/p>\n
As with the end of any era, we can build a new structure on
\nthe foundations of the old. I wouldn't be surprised if Indonesia
\nexperiences an IT renaissance.<\/p>",
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