Internet cafes grow despite economic crisis

By Juliane Gunardono

JAKARTA (JP): With the world heading for the 21st century, science fiction is fast becoming a reality and Indonesia is no exception. The dreams of five years ago are now everyday phenomena and it is possible to obtain information on almost anything from almost anywhere in a matter of seconds, in theory.

Internet cafes have opened in a number of places in Indonesia, providing people with access to the Internet without having to own their own computers.

The Internet first became available in Indonesia at the end of 1994. By May 1996, only two Internet cafes had opened in Indonesia, both in Jakarta. They served a regular clientele of around 2,000 people. This has now grown to 10,000, and Internet cafes are opening by the dozen in major cities like Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bandung, Surakarta (Solo) and Surabaya, their popularity seemingly unchecked by the economic crisis.

The Net Cafe recently opened in Taman Anggrek Mall. It is decked out like a very cozy spaceship, with silver walls, metallic chairs and a window into open space. Six computer terminals are located to the back of the cafe, with tables and chairs laid out at the front.

The proprietors have attempted to make the cafe attractive to young people, whom they hope will use the venue as a place to meet their friends as well to as use the computers. Although half an hour using the internet costs Rp 10,000 (with one soft drink included) and drinks are priced at between Rp 2,000 and Rp 12,500, the Net Cafe has flourished and is turning in a healthy profit of around Rp 3 million a month, according to the cafe's manager.

Most Internet cafes in Jakarta have targeted certain groups of users. The Net Cafe reaches out to teenagers and students, while Click! cafe on Jalan Jaksa targets the backpackers who frequent the cheap bars and hostels in the area. The cafe also provides money changing services, a travel agent and tourist information services.

Xtract in Blok M Plaza, South Jakarta, is styled in black with violet blacklight lamps and plays loud music. This creates a discotheque atmosphere which appeals to youngsters who think they're cool. The newly opened Wwwok! in Kemang has combined a noodle restaurant and cozy cafe atmosphere with Internet access. It caters for expatriates and Indonesians who can afford to pay Rp 25,000 for a plate of noodles and a glass of beer and still have change to pay Rp 20,000 for an hour of using the internet.

There are four Internet cafes in Ciputra Mall, three of which opened in October 1998. Their main customers are students, so they offer a cheap, no frills Internet service priced at Rp 10,000 per hour. Drinks are not available.

With the Internet growing ever more popular, the clientele in these cafes are often not what one would expect anymore.

In the dim light of Xtract cafe, a smartly dressed, middle aged couple create a homepage for their clothes business, parents send e-mails to their offspring studying abroad between students in cafes in Ciputra Mall, and in the space age Net Cafe, businesspeople send messages to friends and partners.

Only a year ago, Internet cafe customers were almost exclusively youngsters fascinated with chatting to teenagers around the world, students seeking information for their studies and foreigners. That has now changed, and almost all strata of society can now be spotted in these increasingly popular cafes.

Internet cafe employees can see various reasons for this success.

Use of the Internet abroad is widespread. Firms with contacts outside Indonesia must use the Internet to send letters and transfer information. "We cannot afford to have an Internet connection in our office," explained an employee from a paper wholesaler, "so I send our e-mails from Internet cafes. I have also been taking lessons here to get more acquainted with using the Internet."

The high cost of stamps and telephones is yet another reason for the Internet's growing popularity. It costs Rp 20,000 to fax a single page to Europe, while one hour on the Internet for the same price is enough time to send a whole book.

Enterprises also use the Internet to make contacts around the world and collect complex information at the touch of a button.

Many Indonesians are using the Internet to obtain information about political and economic developments in their own country which go unreported in the local media.

Indonesia has entered the modern era and there seems to be no way of turning back the clocks. "We have to be modern to compete with other countries," explains an insurance company employee. "Everybody should and will learn how to use it."

The growth in interest in the Internet has encouraged the owner of one small Wartel (public telephone shop) in Bintaro to open his own Internet corner. "More and more people living in my neighborhood are asking me for Internet access since I bought my first computer", said the owner of Wartel Losari. He now plans to buy three more computers to meet the demand. "I see other Internet places," he said, "and they are doing well."

Formerly, Internet cafes catering to tourists flourished, but this has changed, with many foreigners now afraid to visit Indonesia. Cafes like Click!, which caters mainly to tourists, are now struggling to survive, but cafes catering to Indonesians are riding the crest of a wave, with the future looking rosy.

"Although Indonesia is still far behind many other countries, you cannot stop the arrival of the modern era. Nobody can stop people from growing," said a waiter at Net Cafe.