The utilisation of digital space is one of the alternative answers to the challenges of post-COVID-19 recovery. Therefore, the Government is accelerating the development of digital connectivity in an effort to improve the national economy. Indonesia’s experience in building digital infrastructure as well as using digital space positively and productively has become one of the discussions at the 2022 G-20 Indonesia Presidency Digital Economy Working Group Forum.
Digital space can be one of the answers for post-covid-19 recovery. When other sectors experience a slowdown. We saw a growth of 10.58% at that time year on year and it continues to grow until now. This indicates that the digital space can be one of the answers for post-covid-19 recovery.
– Dedy Permadi, Special Staff, Ministry of Communication and Informatics
During the pandemic, there was positive growth in the information and communication sector. According to him, the information and communication sector, which is the backbone of the digital sector, is the only sector that is still growing positively for three consecutive quarters in 2020. The Indonesian government seeks to take advantage of this opportunity by accelerating the development of an inclusive digital infrastructure to address the digital divide in society.
Even though inclusiveness is meant to reduce disparities in society, it is not only a matter of expanding internet access but also of people. So the gap is not only about areas where there is the internet and where there is no internet, but also about people who already have internet, can use it positively and productively or not.
The government is expanding and accelerating the availability and even distribution of internet access throughout Indonesia. Currently, in Indonesia, there are still areas that have not been touched by 4G internet access. Therefore, the Ministry of Communications and Informatics together with cellular operators is currently accelerating the development of digital infrastructure.
In addition to focusing on developing telecommunication access through Base Transceiver Stations in 12,548 villages and sub-districts, the Ministry of Communications and Informatics is also preparing fast internet access through the use of multifunctional satellites to provide access to 150,000 public service points. Currently, the Government is also pushing for the optimization of the utility of the Palapa Ring or Sky Toll Road.
At the same time, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics also ensures that the internet can be used positively and productively by every citizen. The government seeks to improve the quality of human resources in the digital field. Indonesia has specifically provided many activities that can be used for free by the public.
The first is a digital literacy programme, which can be followed through a cube creative network, for example. Almost every day free exercises are introducing digital marketing products. Second, Digital Talent Scholarship (DTS). There is also an academy called the Digital Entrepreneurship Academy which specifically educates or trains people to be able to trade in the digital era.
As reported by OpenGov Asia, digitalisation provides convenience for the communities and has a broad impact on all aspects of people’s lives, such as e-commerce in the trade sector, fintech and e-payment in the banking sector, and edutech in the education sector, as well as digital public services that become a tangible manifestation of the Government in providing excellent services.
The government continues to protect a conducive business climate to improve the people’s economy by developing the positive side of digitalisation and opening up more space for the nation’s children to create digital innovations. Indonesia aims to develop positive aspects of digitalisation, such as economic empowerment, the advancement of the creative economy, and to provide space for digital innovation by the nation’s children. Therefore, proportional regulation must be implemented.
