Bringing connectivity to all citizens: Experiences and challenges in the implementation of the “Smart Village” program in Indonesia

Abstract

This research seeks a better understanding of the effectiveness of rural information and communication technology (ICT) initiatives in Indonesia. It explores the extent to which and the way in which the Smart Village program, which aim is to bring connectivity for all citizens, creates more equitable and sustainable access to ICT for rural communities. Driven by the pursuit of the potential benefits of ICT for the improvement of socio-economic conditions in rural communities, as well as to fulfil the Indonesian government’s commitment to the WSIS Plan of Action to provide every village across the country with internet access has led the implementation a program to bridge the digital divide, namely the Smart Village program. This program has been implemented as part of the universal service obligation policy in the telecommunications sector and aims to establish the provision of affordable, and even free of charge, connectivity in rural communities. However, the notion of universal access includes not only the availability and affordability of basic telecommunication service, but also equity of access. I will show that the implementation of the service policies in telecommunication sector does not necessarily result in the establishment of equitable access and sustainable access to ICT in rural communities. Due to the unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and social status among different groups in the community, the provision of ICT access in rural communities does not necessarily mean that each individual citizen is able, and permitted to use the internet facilities provided to take advantage of online information. Moreover, strong financial capacity at central government level has not necessarily resulted in the sustainability of access to ICT at the community level. The absence of political support and the appropriate regulations and policies to foster demand and to increase the use of ICT facilities has led the deployment of ICT in rural communities to serve as the fulfilment of a top-down agenda which has little impact on rural communities.