Accelerating internet penetration to rural areas: A government-sponsored internet-kiosks deployment project in Garut Regency, West Java of Indonesia

Abstract

Internet penetration in developing countries depend on a variety of factors, including the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the density of telephone connections, and the density of personal computer users. Internet kiosks have been deployed in 21 rural ditrict areas of Garut Regency to facilitate internet access for local/district government as well as for the community who have no access to internet Each district was equiped with 10 PCs, a printer, a scanner, and an internet connection either using DSL or cellular access technology. The program was government sponsored through the Ministry of Communications and Information of the Republic of Indonesia. This program was also designed to provide education and training for the district internet kiosks operator as well as for the staffs of information technology at Garut Regency, on understanding, efficient use, management, maintenance, as well as the ethical/professional use of information to upgrade their skills. This study was then conducted to evaluate factors affecting internet penetration in rural areas of Garut Regency, West Java of Indonesia.