Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – Former Minister of Communication and Informatics, Rudiantara, spoke about 5G network needs among internet users in Indonesia. He stated that currently the 5G market mostly targets corporations, while the general public have shown less interest due to the relatively high service cost.
Rudiantara emphasized that the presence of a 5G network must be supported by adequate digital infrastructure projects. However, there are still areas in Indonesia that have not enjoyed equal access to the internet. He considers this a task that the government must address.
Rudiantara mentioned that a considerable amount of internet users in the country deem the 4G network sufficient for their daily lives.
"When speaking with grassroots communities in Indonesia, they actually don't need 5G to fulfill their needs. 4G network is sufficient for them," he said during the Amartha Asia Grassroot Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
He added that so far, the 5G network does not have a clear consumer market in Indonesia, as people long for affordable and capable internet to serve their digital activities. "When I talk to people and ask if they want a faster internet connection, they say they do. But when they find out they have to pay more, they refuse. This is the characteristic of Indonesia's digital infrastructure market," he stated.
Meanwhile, the government, through the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi), continues to promote a wider 5G market in Indonesia. Part of the efforts is to establish international cooperation in the development of the 5G network.
Deputy Minister of Komdigi, Nezar Patria, stated that Indonesia is interested in expanding international connectivity, including increasing network capacity (bandwidth) for internet and data transmission. He believes that fast internet access at an affordable price can be achieved through such collaborations.
Last April, Komdigi received a visit from the Russian government to explore cooperation opportunities in developing the 5G network in Indonesia. According to Nezar, Russia is slightly ahead in terms of network technology.
The Putin-led has low internet costs, less than US$4 for a speed of 100 megabits per second (Mbps). "If we work together, we can lower internet costs like Russia. So, I think this is a good initiative and hopefully will result in collaborations to follow up on this initiative," Nezar said.