In Indonesia’s evolving digital ecosystem, the phrase broadband access infrastructure is emerging as a critical strategic focus. Recently PT Linknet Tbk announced that it is driving a transformation of its business model into an open-access infrastructure provider. This shift is aimed at accelerating broadband access infrastructure development across Indonesia and helping close the digital divide. The statement was made at the National Technology Summit 2025 in Jakarta.

This article explores how broadband access infrastructure is being reimagined in the Indonesian context, why this matters for stakeholders, and what key challenges and opportunities lie ahead for companies and policymakers alike.

Why Broadband Access Infrastructure Matters in Indonesia

Indonesia faces a significant connectivity gap. According to statements by the industry association Asosiasi Penyelenggara Jasa Internet Indonesia (APJII), the penetration of broadband in Indonesian households is still around 18%, well below the ASEAN average. That means most households are not yet fully connected, which limits economic participation, digital education, and innovation.

In this context, broadband access infrastructure is not just about laying fibre or towers—it is about enabling access, affordability, and scalable connectivity. For Linknet, transitioning into an open-access infrastructure provider means the company allows other internet service providers (ISPs) to use its network. This model has the potential to expand reach faster, drive down cost and accelerate infrastructure rollout.

The strategic importance of broadband access infrastructure is reflected in Indonesia’s broader national digital agenda. As connectivity becomes a prerequisite for participation in the digital economy, the speed, reliability, and reach of infrastructure shape how inclusive that economy will be. In other words, building broadband access infrastructure becomes an enabler for growth, education, services and social inclusion.

How Linknet’s Transformation Advances Broadband Access Infrastructure

Linknet’s business model transformation offers a case study in how broadband access infrastructure efforts can be operationalised in Indonesia. At the National Technology Summit 2025, the company announced that it would shift from being a conventional ISP toward being a provider of open network infrastructure, offering network access to multiple service providers under a shared model.

There are several ways this approach advances broadband access infrastructure:

Open Access Model: By providing a network that multiple ISPs can access, Linknet reduces duplication of infrastructure investment and speeds up deployment of broadband access infrastructure across underserved areas. This kind of model changes the economics of deployment and lowers barriers for smaller ISPs and regional players.

Collaboration with Stakeholders: The transformation was announced at a summit that brought together industry players, regulators and associations. This underscores that building broadband access infrastructure in Indonesia is not just a business exercise but a public-private collaboration.

Focus on Underserved Areas: Linknet’s willingness to support open access models is especially significant in regions where only one provider exists or where infrastructure costs are prohibitive. By enabling multi-provider access, broadband access infrastructure becomes more scalable and inclusive.

Sustainable Growth Orientation: Rather than focusing solely on subscriber growth in urban centres, the transformation emphasises infrastructure readiness, shared network models, and long-term connectivity. That aligns with the requirement for sustainable broadband access infrastructure rather than short-term deployments.

The linkage between Linknet’s transformation and broadband access infrastructure is clear: the model aims to shift the company from competing for end-users to enabling other service providers—thereby enhancing the reach and efficiency of infrastructure rollout.

Implications for Stakeholders and the Digital Ecosystem

The evolution of broadband access infrastructure in Indonesia carries significant implications for a range of stakeholders.

For Customers and Communities: Enhanced broadband access infrastructure means more households and businesses will gain internet connectivity, often at better quality and lower cost. That means more access to education, e-commerce, telehealth, remote work and digital services. Communities in remote or semi-urban areas stand to benefit especially as shared network models reduce deployment costs.

For Service Providers and Digital Startups: With an open infrastructure model, small to mid-sized ISPs and digital startups have the opportunity to enter the market with lower capital expenses. The improved broadband access infrastructure reduces a major barrier to launch and scale digital services, thus enabling a richer digital ecosystem.

For Investors and Telecom Companies: The emphasis on broadband access infrastructure shifts investment focus from consumer acquisition to infrastructure footprint, shared platforms and sustainability. Companies that position themselves as open infrastructure providers may unlock new revenue models and reduce duplication of network assets, potentially leading to higher capital efficiency.

For Policymakers and Regulators: Infrastructure policy matters. To facilitate growth in broadband access infrastructure, regulators need to ensure fair access, non-discriminatory pricing, open network frameworks and alignment with national digital inclusion goals. Linknet’s announcement signals a model that regulators and policy makers may wish to encourage if national targets for connectivity are to be met.

For the Indonesian Economy: As broadband access infrastructure improves, Indonesia’s digital economy becomes more inclusive. Improved connectivity supports sectors such as agritech, fintech, edtech and healthtech. It allows remote regions to participate in national value chains, thereby contributing to regional economic growth and narrowing digital divides. In an era where digital readiness is correlated with economic competitiveness, broadband access infrastructure becomes a key enabler.

Challenges and Roadblocks in Scaling Broadband Access Infrastructure

While the vision is compelling, expanding broadband access infrastructure comes with challenges—some of which Linknet and other players will need to navigate.

Capital and Deployment Costs: Even with shared models, the physical cost of extending fibre or wireless infrastructure into remote, low-density regions remains high. Business models must reconcile cost recovery with affordable access.

Regulatory and Operational Complexity: Implementing open access models needs regulatory frameworks that ensure fair access, pricing transparency and avoidance of monopolistic behaviours. Operational coordination among multiple service providers using the same infrastructure can also be complex.

Demand-Side Constraints: Building broadband access infrastructure is half the battle. Ensuring uptake, digital literacy, device availability and locally relevant services is also essential. Infrastructure cannot succeed in isolation of demand.

Service Quality and Maintenance: As networks age or usage intensifies, maintaining network quality, uptime and speed becomes critical. Broadband access infrastructure must be resilient, scalable and reliable, particularly in Indonesia with its geography and variety of terrain.

Commercial Viability: For many remote areas, achieving commercial viability remains difficult. Infrastructure providers must often rely on cross-subsidies, tiered pricing, or state support. Sustainability of broadband access infrastructure deployment may depend on public-private partnerships.

Looking Forward: What This Means for Indonesia’s Digital Future

The transformation of Linknet and its emphasis on broadband access infrastructure marks a pivot point in Indonesia’s connectivity journey. Rather than purely focusing on subscriber numbers, the emphasis is shifting to inclusive infrastructure, shared networks, and enabling multi-player ecosystems.

Moving forward, we may expect:

• More partnerships between network providers, regional ISPs, local governments, and technology firms to roll out broadband access infrastructure in underserved areas.
• Greater emphasis on network densification, fibre to the home (FTTH), open access platforms and shared governance models so that broadband access infrastructure becomes a public good rather than just a commercial asset.
• Policy reforms and regulatory frameworks that facilitate open access, fair competition, and incentive structures for players who invest in broadband access infrastructure in remote regions.
• Integration of new technologies like 5G, edge computing and satellite internet as part of broadband access infrastructure strategy—particularly in archipelagic and rural contexts.
• A growing digital economy that leverages improved broadband access infrastructure to enable remote work, digital entrepreneurship, regional innovation hubs, and inclusive education.

From a broader perspective, the success of Indonesia’s digital inclusion journey will depend not only on network availability but on how broadband access infrastructure is deployed, managed and adopted. Linknet’s shift to an open access model is a signal that infrastructure providers recognise this dynamic. As more players follow suit, Indonesia may accelerate toward its connectivity goals, ensuring that digital dividends reach beyond urban centres.

In sum, broadband access infrastructure is far more than a technical phrase—it is a cornerstone of Indonesia’s digital future. Through the strategic transformation by Linknet, the nation is witnessing a shift in how networks are financed, built and opened to all service providers. This model promises faster rollout, broader reach and deeper inclusivity. While challenges remain, the direction is clear: to build a digital Indonesia where connectivity is accessible, affordable and inclusive. As broadband access infrastructure improves, so does the possibility of meaningful connectivity for millions of Indonesians.

With this in mind, stakeholders across business, government, and civil society will need to collaborate, scale shared infrastructure models and ensure that infrastructure is matched with services, skills and adoption. The path toward broadband access infrastructure may be complex, but the payoff, a digitally inclusive Indonesia as well worth the journey.