Measuring Internet Connectivity in Jambi Province

Internet connectivity has now become a primary need for almost all Indonesian people. Internet connectivity is now more inclusive than it was a decade ago.

The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated internet penetration in Indonesia when most office and educational activities are carried out at home, and people reduce mobility outside the home. The internet is a means for people to work, communicate, get entertainment, access learning, banking, health, transact and much more. The development of internet technology is still and will continue to grow beyond what we imagine. Indonesia is a country that has a very wide area with a high and scattered population.

Based on data from Indonesia's telecommunications statistics in 2020, as many as 53.73 percent of the population aged 5 years and over access the internet. Meanwhile, in Jambi Province, 41.34% of the population aged 5 years and over access the internet. This number increased rapidly to 56.07% in 2021.

The government has disbursed Rp 17 trillion rupiah to build internet connection facilities to remote villages.

Massive, quality and stable telecommunications support facilities and infrastructure, play a role in supporting internet connectivity for the community. These facilities include the presence of a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) or a transmitting station, as well as the strength of cellular phone internet signal, because most people access the internet through their gadgets. Based on data from the Village Potential Statistics (Podes) of Jambi Province in 2021, out of 1,562 villages/kelurahan in Jambi Province, only 47.88% have BTS in their area, with 75.16% of the signal strength being very strong or strong. Meanwhile, 79.38% of the signal obtained is a 4G signal. Internet access by residents aged 5 years and over in Jambi Province is indeed still lower than the national figure in 2020. However, this number will continue to increase until it reaches its saturation point in the next 15 years.

The important thing for the government besides building telecommunications facilities is educating the public to use the internet wisely because the internet is like two sides of a coin which has positive and negative impacts depending on how we use it. (Jambi data/BPS Muaro Jambi Regency)