4,095 private universities to receive free, unlimited internet access
Asosiasi Perguruan Tinggi Swasta Indonesia (Aptisi) collaborates with PT Solusi Sinergi Digital Tbk (Surge) to provide free, unlimited internet access for 4,095 private universities across Indonesia.
Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Jakarta on Tuesday, Aptisi Deputy Chair Paristiyanti Nurwardani stated the free internet service aims to reach 1,334 campuses in Java by October, with gradual expansion to other regions.
Paris emphasised that this strategic partnership is designed as a concrete solution to enhance the quality of tertiary education’s tridharma—teaching, research, and community service—alongside national quality assurance.
Not only is free internet being provided, but also a specialised database service allowing academic communities in private universities to share materials and ideas.
“This covers teaching, research, community service, internal and external quality assurance, training, and good governance university activities we have jointly promoted,” said the Rector of Universitas Bhakti Asih Tangerang (Unibang).
Through this interconnected database, private universities can now share resources, such as direct digital learning module usage between campuses, to achieve quality parity.
Furthermore, Andi L. Bharata, Director of PT Telemedia Komunikasi Pratama (a Surge subsidiary), stated that providing equitable and stable digital infrastructure is key to reducing quality gaps in graduates across regions.
“We are providing pure fibre optic internet with 1 gigabit per second speed, no quota, no fair usage policy—this is to support university learning,” he added.
Andi also mentioned offering affordable home internet packages for lecturers and students beyond campus-wide free access.
In response, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Brian Yuliarto expressed support for the initiative as a step towards accelerating a progressive and accessible academic ecosystem in Indonesia.
“This is an exceptional breakthrough. We appreciate this strategic move in an era where science, technology, and knowledge are key to national progress,” Brian Yuliarto said.