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Indonesia’s WiFi Access Innovation Usable Knowledge for Growing the Telecom Sector Park Hotel, New Delhi, March 6, 2006. Divakar Goswami & Onno Purbo. Research Objectives. Why does Indonesia have more Wi-Fi deployed to connect to the Internet than most developing countries?
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Indonesia’s WiFi Access InnovationUsable Knowledge for Growing the Telecom Sector Park Hotel, New Delhi, March 6, 2006 Divakar Goswami & Onno Purbo
Research Objectives • Why does Indonesia have more Wi-Fi deployed to connect to the Internet than most developing countries? • What lessons can we learn from WiFi innovations in Indonesia for other developing countries? • What steps must be addressed for hastening Internet growth in Indonesia?
What is WiFi? • Wi-Fi is based on a family of standards that allow data to be transmitted at high speeds wirelessly up to 15 kilometres away. • 802.11 (2Mbps); 802.11b (11Mbps); 802.11a (54Mbps); 802.11g (54Mbps). • Where wired infrastructure is poorly developed (rural regions) wireless technologies like Wi-Fi, can be a viable solution to bridge digital divide. • Many countries, including USA, EU, India, Indonesia etc. have unlicensed portion of 2.4 Ghz band necessary for Wi-fi. • Advantages: Quick deployment time, low-cost, minimal rights of way needed, “free” bandwidth. • Disadvantages: Prone to interference, weather conditions, steep range/bandwidth tradeoff, doesn’t offer carrier class reliability.
Why WiFi? • Has WiFi deployment in Indonesia led to higher Internet access compared to other developing countries?
Internet penetration InternetUsers Broadband users
Internet growth rate comparison India’s CAGR for an eight-year period between 1998-2005 was 58.4% in comparison with Indonesia’s CAGR during the same period of 35%. Per capita: Indonesia-$3500, India-$3100
Why Study WiFi in Indonesia? • There is more WiFi deployment in Indonesia than most developing countries: • 40 towns and cities in different islands have WiFi deployed by entrepreneurs • WiFi deployment in other developing countries (Cambodia, Costa Rica, India, Bhutan etc.) small-scale, experimental basis, non-commercial. • Compared to developed countries, WiFi uniquely deployed in Indonesia
Link to higher tier ISP ISP C Fiber optic ISP A ISP B Twisted copper pair Coax cable Dialup ADSL Cable modem Typical ISP Network Infrastructure Network Access Network
ISP B Ethernet Ring Ethernet IIX School C WiFi 2.4 Microwave ISP A ISP C School B Wifi 5.8 WiFi 5.8 Corporate Customer $200/pm ADSL UTP Cable UTP Cable House School A $4000/pm (Internet link+ international bandwidth) Neighbourhood Network 50 houses+ $35/pm Network Characteristics-Indonesia Infrastructure Network Access Network
Uniqueness of Indonesian WiFi • WiFi deployed in Indonesia in unique manner: • Not inside home; not available for free. • Blurring of access and infrastructure network; used as low-bandwidth backhaul; up to curb WiFi, last mile aerial cable. • Many tiered retailing of Internet service.
Innovations Around Constraints • Inadequate supply of network infrastructure-”backbone” & leased lines • WiFi fills “missing link” • High price of last mile infrastructure, i.e., domestic leased lines • WiFi provides service at substantially lower costs • High price of international bandwidth • “Unlegal” use of satellite for international link • High retail price of Internet Service • Unlicensed reseller-ISPs using WiFi to recoup high price
Annual Leased Line Prices-Domestic &International Ratios India EU 1:6 1:5 Ratios India EU 1:48 1:4 India EU1:4 1:3 India EU 1:5.0 1:4.0 Data compiled from Lokanathan, lirneasia.net, EU 10th report, interview with Indonesian ISP & Network Service Provider
Comparison of ADSL Retail Prices (monthly) in Indonesia & India Data from PT Telkom, Indonesia & BSNL, India
Barriers to Market Participation Limited competition Competitive No competition
Barriers to Internet Growth: Some Solutions • Inadequate supply of network infrastructure • (a) introduce more players to extend network [policy] • (b) government invests in rolling out network • High leased line prices • (a) introduce more players in leased line market [policy] • (b) regulator introduces access regime for leased lines • (b) regulator compels operators to lower prices • High price of international bandwidth • (a) introduce more players in international gateway market [policy] • (b) regulator issues price ceiling like in India • High Internet retail prices • The above steps will take care of high retail price • Is Policy & Regulatory environment conducive to above solutions?
Regulatory environment • DG POSTEL is an unit of the Ministry of Communication & IT • Two regulatory bodies: DG POSTEL & BRTI • BRTI under-staffed, powers under transition, chairman is DG of POSTEL Minister of Communications and Information Technology Telecommunications Regulatory Committee (BRTI) DDG of Adm. Affairs DGPT DDG of Telecom & IT DDG of Frequency Management DDG of Standardization DDG of International Affairs DDG of Pos Notes : BRTI (Indonesian Telecommunications Regulatory Body) Line of Command Line of Coordination Report to
Regulatory environment • Exclusivity clauses extending historical monopolies • Indonesian govt owns 51% share in PT Telkom & 15% in Indosat plus “golden share” • Structure of licenses preventing ISPs from deploying infrastructure • Licenses for Telecom Network & Service providers • No local loop unbundling • Exclusivity until 2015 • No regulation of leased line prices • Non-regulation of uncompetitive market
Lessons for the Indonesia • Wi-Fi “innovations” in Indonesia are not a result of enlightened policy designed to extend communication infrastructure to unserved areas but rather a workaround solution to hostile market and regulatory conditions. • Any sustainable development of Internet growth in Indonesia must address policy & regulatory environment-credible regulatory reform • For quickest results, regulator must reduce leased line prices. Number of studies have shown the correlation between lower leased line prices and rapid diffusion of the Internet (Petrazzini & Guerrero 2000; Fan 2005;) • Findings from this study are being used by stakeholders and media to pressure government to lower leased line and international bandwidth prices.
Lessons for India & developing countries • Hastening of broadband Internet deployment in India & developing countries if ISPs can use Wi-Fi in the access network to bypass incumbent’s local loop. • Wi-Fi can bridge digital divide by providing Internet connectivity leap-frogging difficult terrain and lack of wired infrastructure in rural areas. • Wi-Fi deployment can be commercially viable.