Plotting Public Participation on Indonesia's Internet

Abstract

Focusing on public access rather than business or commercial applications, this article seeks to answer some fundamental questions about Internet use in Indonesia: How many people use the Net? Where and how do they gain access? Who facilitates this: government or private industry? What strategies are expanding public access? In answering such questions, the article examines Internet use as a social practice in Indonesia. It begins by plotting Internet growth. It then focuses on public access Internet facilities, discussing geographical diffusion, ownership trends and the potential for increasing user numbers. Finally, it teases out some user profiles and patterns of usage.