Internet data price trend in Indonesia 2017-2019
Affordable price versus broadband infrastructure
As smartphone users tend to communicate through mobile apps such as Whatsapp or Messenger more than via text message or phone call, the affordability of mobile internet is crucial. Good broadband infrastructure and economic growth in the country determine whether the internet providers can fulfill the demand while maintaining affordable prices. In late 2019 Indonesia’s government completed the Palapa Ring Project, an infrastructure project that aimed to provide access to 4G internet services across the country. With this, Indonesia’s digital economy is expected to grow faster.
PT Telkomsel, the largest mobile internet provider
Other than communication related apps, shopping and social media apps had the highest reach levels among Indonesian smartphone users. On average, a smartphone user in Indonesia spent about 32.6 minutes per day for communication. In 2018, PT Telkom Indonesia Group had a share of 84.5 percent of the fixed broadband market in Indonesia. Besides being the largest telecommunications and network provider in Indonesia, Telkomsel is also the most popular mobile internet provider to browse the internet, followed by Indosat and XL.