Surge’s ‘Internet Rakyat’ is a 100 Mbps Game Changer for Indonesia’s Digital Economy

Indonesia’s digital landscape is about to experience a massive shift. PT Solusi Sinergi Digital Tbk, widely known as Surge (WIFI), has just made a bold move into the low-cost broadband sector. Backed by prominent businessman Hashim Djojohadikusumo, the company officially launched IRA—short for Internet Rakyat or “People’s Internet.” This isn't just another service provider entering the market; it is a calculated push to bridge the country’s digital divide and ignite a new cycle of economic growth.

The value proposition is hard to ignore: fixed broadband speeds of up to 100 Mbps for just Rp 100,000 (approximately $6.29) per month. For a country where high-speed internet has often been a luxury limited to major urban centers, this pricing strategy could fundamentally alter how millions of Indonesians access the digital world.

A Strategic Catalyst for GDP Growth

Hashim Djojohadikusumo, who sits on Surge’s shareholder board, is framing this initiative as more than just a business venture. During the launch event in Jakarta, he described it as a potential “game changer” for Southeast Asia’s largest economy. His reasoning is backed by data. Citing studies from the global consulting firm McKinsey, Hashim pointed out that every 10% increase in affordable internet penetration can lift a country’s annual GDP growth by anywhere between 0.7% and 1.3%.

“It has been proven,” Hashim noted, emphasizing that widening digital access for small businesses, students, and teachers is the key to Indonesia’s future expansion. By lowering the barrier to entry, Surge is positioning itself as a core enabler for SME digitization, online education, and the adoption of emerging technologies like AI.

High-Speed Internet at the Cost of Three Packs of Cigarettes

To put the affordability into perspective, Hashim used a striking local comparison. He mentioned that a 100 Mbps connection with unlimited usage would cost roughly the same as three packs of cigarettes in Indonesia. This relatable analogy highlights just how accessible the service is intended to be for the average household.

The target is ambitious. Surge is aiming to secure 5 million subscribers within this year alone, with long-term goals of doubling that figure to 10 million. This aggressive scaling is a direct response to Indonesia’s underpenetrated broadband market. Despite a population of over 280 million and a booming digital economy, internet quality remains uneven, creating a bottleneck for e-commerce and public services.

Expanding the Infrastructure Footprint

The rollout for IRA is already well underway under Regional-1 deployment. Currently, the service operates more than 550 active telecom sites and has installed 3,189 radio units across more than 82 cities and regencies. The reach extends far beyond Jakarta, spanning across Java, Maluku, and Papua.

This expansion is managed through Surge’s subsidiary, PT Telemedia Komunikasi Pratama. To keep deployment costs low while maintaining high speeds, the company uses a hybrid approach: combining a robust fiber backbone with fixed wireless access (FWA) technology. This technical strategy allows them to reach areas where traditional fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) might be too slow or expensive to deploy.

Explosive Financial Growth

Surge’s aggressive market moves are reflected in its latest financial performance. The company has seen a sharp acceleration in its bottom line. In 2025, Surge posted a net profit attributable to shareholders of Rp 408.6 billion ($25.7 million), a staggering 76.75% increase year-on-year. Revenue followed a similar trajectory, surging 147% to Rp 1.66 trillion ($104.4 million).

Perhaps most impressive is the company’s liquidity. Its cash position skyrocketed to Rp 6.16 trillion ($387 million) by the end of 2025, up from just Rp 18.5 billion the previous year. This massive influx of capital reflects both investor confidence and the company’s readiness to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.

The Mission: Internet as a Basic Necessity

The launch of IRA aligns closely with President Prabowo Subianto’s broader economic agenda, which focuses on infrastructure expansion and digital inclusion. As Shannedy Ong, President Director of PT Telemedia Komunikasi Pratama, stated during the event, the goal is to shift the perception of connectivity.

“Internet access is no longer a luxury,” Ong said. “It is now a basic necessity that must be accessible to all.” By focusing on affordability and speed, Surge is not just selling a service; it is providing the digital tools necessary for the next generation of Indonesian entrepreneurs and students to compete on a global stage.