Microsoft Indonesia builds 21 computer access points

Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In yet another effort to bridge the gaping digital divide across the country, PT Microsoft Indonesia has launched 21 community training and learning centers (CTLC) to provide access to the latest information and communication technology.

The country's branch of US-based giant software manufacturer Microsoft will assist the centers with hardware, software and training, said president Tony Chen on Monday.

"We have a long-standing commitment suited to the demand and our capability in providing the assistance," he said after signing a memorandum of understanding with the Office of the State Minister for Communications and Information.

He declined to disclose the total funds allotted for the program.

State Minister Sofyan A. Djalil welcomed the cooperation, saying that as the government had limited funds, private sector involvement in introducing computers and up to date technology was highly appreciated.

"However, people using the centers or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating them should find ways to make money to be independent from sponsors," said Sofyan.

The 21 CTLCs are spread in 16 regions, including war-torn Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam with four centers, Medan and Parapat in North Sumatra, Jakarta with two centers, Sukabumi and Bandung in West Java, Bojonegoro and Surabaya in East Java, Gianyar in Bali, Mataram, Makasar and Pontianak.

A CTLC is different from the popular warnet (Internet shop) in that the former does not look for profit. Like warnet, some of the centers also offer Internet access to the public, but its main activity is providing training on information and communication technology.

Microsoft will be a donor for the centers, developed throughout 2004, for one year, after which they are expected to be independent or to find other donors.

The software company is not the first to introduce such learning centers, or community access points (CAPs) as the government calls them. Others are already present, like the Community Information Hall of the Indonesian Infocom Society (Mastel), Indonesian Community Electronic Information Network of the National Internet Body (LIN).

The office's deputy for communication and information network Cahyana Ahmadjayadi said that currently there were about 2,000 CAPs across the country.

"We are setting up models of CAPs, which will be sustainable business models, to be used in the future," said Cahyana.