Prabowo’s Bold Digital Vision: Aiming for 1 Gbps Internet Across 38 Indonesian Cities by 2029

The Indonesian government, under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, has set its sights on a massive upgrade for the nation's digital backbone. The goal is as ambitious as it is necessary: achieving fixed broadband speeds of 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) across 38 cities and regencies by the year 2029. This target isn't just a number; it represents a fundamental shift in how the country plans to compete on the global digital stage. However, as new data suggests, the road to reaching that gigabit milestone is going to be a steep uphill climb.

The Current Reality: A Significant Connectivity Gap

While the 1 Gbps target sounds promising, the latest industry data provides a sobering reality check. According to the September 2025 Speedtest Global Index by Ookla, Indonesia's current fixed broadband performance is still a far cry from the government's vision. The data shows that the average download speed in Indonesia currently sits at 41.15 Mbps, with upload speeds averaging 27.55 Mbps and a latency of 7 milliseconds.

To put that into perspective, Indonesia's global standing actually slipped one position compared to the previous month. The country now ranks 118th out of 154 nations evaluated worldwide. When you compare 41 Mbps to the 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) target, it becomes clear that the infrastructure needs to evolve at an unprecedented pace over the next four years.

How Indonesia Stacks Up Against Its Neighbors

The gap becomes even more apparent when looking at the Southeast Asian landscape. Indonesia currently lags behind almost all of its regional peers in terms of fixed broadband speed. Singapore leads the pack—not just in the region, but globally—with a staggering average speed of 400.68 Mbps. Thailand and Vietnam are also performing exceptionally well, recording speeds of 264.54 Mbps and 263.88 Mbps, respectively.

Further down the list, Malaysia has reached 156.80 Mbps, while the Philippines stands at 107.29 Mbps and Brunei Darussalam at 84.48 Mbps. Even Cambodia, with 48.27 Mbps, currently outperforms Indonesia. In the ASEAN region, Indonesia only manages to stay ahead of Myanmar, which averages 27.62 Mbps. This regional disparity highlights why the Prabowo administration is making high-speed connectivity a top priority for national development.

The Strategic Roadmap to 2029

To bridge this gap, the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has outlined a phased rollout plan. The mission, integrated into the Ministry's Strategic Plan (Renstra) for 2025-2029, will begin its initial phase in 2026. This starting point will involve pilot projects in several selected cities to test the feasibility and infrastructure requirements. From there, the government plans to expand the coverage incrementally until all 38 target locations are fully equipped with 1 Gbps connectivity by 2029.

Realizing this vision requires a multi-faceted technological approach. The government isn't relying on a single solution; instead, they plan to deploy a mix of fiber optics, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), and satellite technology. Satellite connectivity will be particularly crucial for reaching the 3T regions (Frontier, Outermost, and Remote), ensuring that the digital push remains inclusive and doesn't leave the most vulnerable areas behind.

Digital Infrastructure as the Foundation for 'Indonesia Emas 2045'

This initiative is about more than just faster downloads. According to the Renstra Komdigi 2025-2029 document, which is currently undergoing public consultation, digital connectivity is viewed as the primary foundation for the 'Indonesia Emas 2045' vision. The policy focus is directed toward expanding high-capacity networks and drastically improving the quality of national internet services to bolster the national economy.

Komdigi emphasizes that the development of this digital infrastructure will be guided by principles of equity, security, and sustainability. By creating a meaningful and inclusive digital environment, the government hopes to foster a national digital ecosystem that is both productive and globally competitive. As we move toward 2026, all eyes will be on how these ambitious plans translate into real-world cables, satellites, and, ultimately, faster connections for millions of Indonesians.