Indonesia's Internet Equitable Distribution Cannot Rely on a Single Technology, ITB Reveals Strategy
The equitable distribution of internet access in Indonesia continues to face significant challenges in rural areas. ITB assesses that no single technology can meet all connectivity needs.
The debate on which technology is most effective for expanding digital access was discussed at a seminar held at ITB on Tuesday (7/4/2026). The seminar stressed that FTTH (Fibre to the Home), FWA (Fixed Wireless Access), and mobile broadband technologies must operate in tandem to reach Indonesia’s diverse geographical conditions.
Ian Josef Matheus Edward, Chairman of the Indonesian Telecommunications Industry and Regulation Policy Study Centre at STEI ITB, stated that no technology can stand alone as the primary solution. FTTH offers the best capacity and stability, while FWA provides flexibility and rapid deployment.
“Both need to be positioned as complementary solutions in expanding digital access. Each technology has different characteristics and strengths. Wireless technology excels in ease of deployment, while FTTH remains the primary choice for service quality and reliability,” said Ian.
From the government perspective, Denny Setiawan, Director of Strategy and Digital Infrastructure Policy at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, said that equitable access is the main focus of national broadband development.
“We are encouraging broadband service development not to focus only on densely populated areas but also to reach underserved regions. The rollout commitment will continue to be monitored to ensure equitable digital access,” said Denny.
Hendra Gunawan, Chief Technology Officer of MyRepublic Indonesia, said that field implementation shows both technologies complement each other.
“FTTH and FWA are not meant to replace each other but to complement one another. FTTH remains the main backbone, while FWA plays a role in accelerating penetration in areas not yet reached by fibre,” said Hendra.
Meanwhile, Iman Hirawadi, Telecom Solutions Architect and Business Consultant at ZTE Indonesia, said that device readiness is a key factor in service expansion.
“FWA technology is now increasingly mature with 4G and 5G support. The next challenge is achieving economies of scale so that devices become more affordable for the wider public,” said Iman.
Merza Fachys, Secretary General of the All-Indonesia Telecommunications Operators Association, said that policy balance is key to ensuring the industry’s sustainability.
“Each technology has a different role. Fixed broadband excels in stability, while mobile offers flexibility. The most important thing is how policies can create a balanced and sustainable ecosystem,” said Merza.
This discussion also highlighted the importance of public understanding of broadband technology developments. ITB encourages cross-sector collaboration to accelerate equitable internet access in Indonesia.