Indonesia’s Digital Connectivity Reaches 80.6% as Government Eyes Rp 35 Trillion Digital Economy by 2030
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MEDAN, Investortrust.id — Indonesia has connected more than 80.6% of its population, or around 299 million people, to the internet, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation, according to Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Viada Hafid. She added that the government is targeting a Rp 35 trillion digital economy by 2030, with regional innovation hubs like Medan expected to play a crucial role.
“For now, 80.6% of Indonesia’s population, or 299 million citizens, are already connected to the internet,” Meutya said during the inauguration of the Garuda Spark Innovation Hub in Medan, North Sumatra, on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. “Our task ahead is not only to create innovation but also to ensure equal connectivity so that every citizen, wherever they live, enjoys the same digital rights.”
The minister noted that Indonesia’s progress in satellite technology has strengthened its digital infrastructure, highlighting the recent launch of the Nusantara Lima (N5) satellite. “With the launch of Nusantara Lima, Indonesia once again leads ASEAN with a 400 Gbps capacity,” she said. The satellite, she added, will accelerate internet access across remote and border areas, supporting the government’s 2026 target for nationwide connectivity.
Meutya explained that the government is preparing several programs to close the digital divide, including the “Kampung Internet” initiative and the planned opening of new 5G spectrum bands later this year. “The foundation has been built in 2025, and next year we will push for acceleration across all regions,” she said.
Medan as the New Western Digital Hub
In the same event, Meutya inaugurated the Garuda Spark Innovation Hub, a national platform designed to cultivate local innovation and digital entrepreneurship. The Medan branch is the third Garuda Spark hub, following Jakarta and Bandung.
“The theme in Medan is aligned with the province’s strengths,” she said. “We will focus, though not exclusively, on innovations in agriculture and food security.”
She emphasized that Medan’s role in the national digital map will grow rapidly as the city combines its creative talent base with strong local industries. “We want Medan’s youth to be the main drivers of innovation in productive sectors that are close to people’s daily lives,” Meutya said.
Meutya added that Medan’s Digital Index ranked seventh nationally and the highest outside Java, showing the city’s strong digital potential. “This is a remarkable achievement, but it can be improved even further,” she noted.
The minister, a senior member of the Golkar Party, projected that Indonesia’s digital economy could reach Rp 35 trillion by 2030, urging Medan to claim its share. “Young people in Medan must take part in this Rp 35 trillion digital opportunity,” she said.
Director General of Digital Ecosystem at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Edwin Hidayat Abdullah said the Garuda Spark initiative adopts a “hub and spokes” model, integrating training centers and innovation spaces across Indonesia. “We are nurturing startups, tech entrepreneurs, and digital talents,” he said. “Our five-year target is to produce four million digital talents nationwide.”
In Medan, the focus will be on agritech and foodtech sectors, building on successful startups such as Otten Coffee and Fore Coffee that originated from the region. “We want to strengthen Medan’s local potential in technology-driven food and agricultural industries,” Edwin said.
Medan Mayor Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas welcomed the initiative as a sign of central government support for regional talent. “The youth of Medan must become key players, not just participants. This innovation hub allows them to turn creativity into economic opportunity,” Rico said. He also highlighted the importance of adapting to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. “Medan’s youth are adaptable, and the digital world opens up new possibilities, especially in culinary and agricultural sectors where the city is already strong,” he said.
The Garuda Spark Innovation Hub aims to produce two million new tech entrepreneurs across Indonesia by 2029, with Medan expected to contribute around 5% of that total. Its launch in the historic Pos Bloc Medan—a former post office complex—symbolizes the nation’s long journey from traditional communication to the digital era.