The Importance of Equitable Internet for All

ukms.or.id/ – The impact of the pandemic is still being felt until the last quarter of 2020. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) noted that the number of poor people in Indonesia in September 2020 reached 27.55 million people. When compared to March 2020, the number of poor people increased by 1.13 million people. Meanwhile, when compared to September 2019, the number of poor people increased by 2.76 million people.The percentage of poor people in September 2020 was recorded at 10.19%, an increase of 0.41 points compared to March 2020 and an increase of 0.97 points compared to September 2019.

Based on the area of ​​residence, in the period March–September 2020, the number of urban poor people increased by 876.5 thousand people, while in rural areas it increased by 249.1 thousand people. The percentage of poverty in urban areas rose from 7.38% to 7.88%. Meanwhile, in rural areas it rose from 12.82% to 13.20%.

Meanwhile, in terms of region, the largest percentage of poor people is in the Maluku and Papua islands, which is 20.65%. Meanwhile, the lowest percentage of poor people is on the island of Kalimantan, which is 6.16%. In terms of numbers, most of the poor are still on the island of Java (14.75 million people), while the lowest number of poor people is on the island of Borneo (1.02 million people).

“The increasing number of poor people as a result of the pandemic is also a reflection of a decline in people’s purchasing power. Because they are unable to meet basic food and non-food needs, people will spend below the poverty line,” said Don Rozano, General Manager of Enciety Business Consult.

During this pandemic, the affordability of costs to get internet access throughout Indonesia is a challenge to overcome the problem of low connectivity in several provinces in Indonesia. Everyone agrees that the presence of the internet will open up learning opportunities and foster creativity in young talents throughout the country.

In the midst of conditions like today, people need various breakthroughs, it is no longer possible to live as usual . Moreover, considering data from BPS that in August 2020, the Open Unemployment Rate (TPT) was 7.07% or an increase of 1.84% compared to August 2019 which was 5.23%.

BPS also noted that as many as 29.12 million people of working age (14.28%) were affected by COVID-19. It is recorded that there are 2.56 million people who are unemployed. Approximately 0.76 million people are non-working force and 1.77 million people are temporarily not working and 24.03 million people are working with reduced working hours.

“When the internet has become a necessity, but the purchasing power is not strong enough to get the internet service, it will be a challenge for both the government and all internet providers ,” added Don Rozano.

It is not easy for providers , especially fixed broadband for Men- delivery -kan product on the Internet at low speeds. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will prefer to work on the market or encourage people to use the internet with high-speed packages (30 Mbps and above), with the hope of better adapting to the needs of today’s society and also minimizing complaints.

Even so, there are still some providers who are still trying to accommodate people with limited capabilities who need internet for basic needs by providing packages below 30 Mbps, one of which is IndiHome which has the widest fixed broadband network and covers the whole country.

The contribution of the private sector as a responsibility ( charity ) to take an active role in realizing infrastructure distribution and internet price affordability both in urban and rural areas, as well as in disadvantaged and outermost areas of Indonesia is still highly expected, to complement various policies that have been carried out by the government in boosting people’s purchasing power. during this pandemic.