It Is Fun, Anies Provides 9,000 Free Internet Access Points In The Capital City

A student studies online with free internet access from the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government at the RW 02 Kampung Internet Office, Galur, Jakarta. (Indrianto Eko Suwarso / Antara)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government already has 9,000 JakWIFI access points in the capital and residents who are around the JakWIFI point can directly use internet services.

"Currently there are 9,000 WIFI access points, namely JakWIFI and this is free. Anyone who comes near the location can directly use JakWIFI," said Anies as quoted by Antara, Wednesday, November 25.

Furthermore, Anies said that JakWIFI access is expected not only to be enjoyed by students but also residents who have businesses.

According to Anies, current internet access is similar to the provision of much needed electricity facilities in the 1970s and 1980s. The goal is that society is integrated.

In addition, he said, internet access will also make citizens more inclusive in the field of information technology so that JakWIFI access is targeted to be carried out in all areas of Jakarta.

"This is the provision of digital connectivity facilities that will help people to be able to participate in economic activities, participate in learning activities. So they are inclusive in digital technology," said Anies.

Anies previously said that JakWIFI is a program to provide free wifi in areas not covered by free internet services.

He mentioned, the presence of JakWIFI is not only for education, but also part of the provision of city infrastructure and expansion of internet access for the needs of the community which covers many sectors, from education, economy or business, government services and citizen communication.

"When this pandemic occurs, so many of us have to change our learning patterns, work patterns. Something that is usually done at close range, now everything is done remotely," said Anies, Friday, August 28.

According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic has made changes in the growth of awareness of digital technology faster.

Requested coordination

Meanwhile, the DKI Jakarta Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) asked the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta to coordinate if they wanted to continue the free internet program called JakWIFI in 2021.

This is because this program only started in August 2020. Even in its preparation, the DKI Provincial Government must prepare supporting infrastructure.

Chairman of Commission B of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Abdul Aziz, said there were still locations that were more appropriate for the program. However, according to Abdul Aziz, this has not been fulfilled.

According to him, the DKI Jakarta DPRD realized that the time to implement the JakWIFI program at 1,200 points was very short.

In addition, the budget for this program comes from unexpected spending. For this reason, if this program is still implemented, the DKI DPRD will ask the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to coordinate in the implementation of the program.

"If the JakWIFI program continues, the DKI Jakarta DPRD requests that its implementation be coordinated with the DPRD as representatives of the people of Jakarta," said Abdul Aziz during a plenary meeting at the DKI Jakarta DPRD Building, Monday, November 16.