East Kalimantan Aims to Complete Free Village Internet in the First Half of 2026

East Kalimantan’s provincial government is confident it will complete the free village internet programme across the entire province in the first half of 2026. ‘Of the total 841 villages in East Kalimantan, 802 villages had internet access by the end of 2025, leaving 39 villages as a priority to complete this year,’ said Muhammad Faisal, head of the East Kalimantan Department of Communication and Informatics (Diskominfo), in Samarinda on Tuesday, 3 March.

Faisal emphasised the government’s commitment to finishing the remaining work. ‘Inshallah, in the first half of 2026 we will finish. So, all 841 villages in East Kalimantan will have internet access,’ he said at a press conference in Diskominfo’s WIEK room.

So far, progress at the district/county level shows significant results, with completed villages in Mahakam Ulu (50 villages), Kutai Barat (167 villages), Paser (131 villages), Penajam Paser Utara, and Kutai Kartanegara (188 villages).

Remaining in progress include Kutai Timur (3 villages left) and Berau (1 village left). 39 villages are in the installation stage this year, spread across Kutai Barat (23 villages), Paser (8 villages), Kutai Kartanegara (5 villages), Kutai Timur (2 villages), and Berau (1 village).

Faisal acknowledged that permanent electricity supply remains a major obstacle in several locations. Although some villages are willing to use generators, internet operation becomes unstable if power supply is interrupted. “As a solution, several villages are starting to utilise alternative energy such as solar power and hydropower,” he explained.

In terms of infrastructure, the East Kalimantan government uses a mix of technologies based on geographic conditions, including Fibre Optic: 439 villages (high-speed priority), then satellite technology for 232 villages (for remote/3T areas), and finally Mobile technology for 131 villages.

According to Faisal, the programme is supported by a range of service providers such as Telkom Indonesia, Telkomsel, Comtelindo, Icon Plus, Telkomsat, Basecamp, and PSN. “Whatever the challenges, connecting every village is a commitment we must fulfil,” Faisal said.